SEOUL (Reuters) – Major League Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani expressed his excitement about receiving international attention and playing in his first opening series in South Korea for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday. Ohtani, who arrived in Seoul on Friday, is set to play in the opener against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday and Thursday, sparking fanfare from a large crowd at Incheon International Airport. In addition to the series, Ohtani will also participate in exhibition games against Korea Baseball Organization teams and Team Korea starting Sunday.
During a press conference in Seoul, the Japanese pitching and hitting phenomenon shared his enthusiasm, stating, “I’m excited to play in Korea not just for baseball but to experience the whole culture.” His return to South Korea as a baseball player has garnered widespread Japanese media coverage, with Ohtani being a national hero in his home country. This visit holds special significance for Ohtani, who was part of Japan’s under-18 team when it won the world championship in Seoul in 2012.
Ohtani expressed his fondness for South Korea, mentioning that it has always been one of his favorite countries. Reflecting on the historical sports rivalry between Japan and Korea, he emphasized his respect for Team Korea and Korean players, stating, “So being accepted like this and welcomed is a very good feeling, and I want to put on a really good show for everybody.”
Notably, Ohtani made headlines with a surprise announcement of his marriage and shared a photo of his wife just before his trip to Seoul. He mentioned that it would be his wife’s first time traveling with him for a game, expressing that it would create lasting memories for both of them. However, he emphasized that his primary focus remains on baseball, stating, “But like I said earlier, I have one job to focus on – so it’s baseball.”
At 29 years old, Ohtani had a remarkable season last year, winning his second Most Valuable Player award in the American League. He led the league with 44 home runs and achieved 10 wins as a pitcher. In December, he signed a lucrative 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking a significant career move after six years with the cross-town Angels.
(Reporting by Hyonhee Shin, Hyunyoung Yi and Daewoung Kim; Editing by William Mallard)
