Shohei Ohtani - Biography
Shohei Ohtani (born July 5, 1994) is an iconic figure in baseball, renowned for his unprecedented skills as both an elite pitcher and an explosive hitter. This comprehensive biography provides all publicly available details about his personal life, family members, education, and career milestones.
Shohei Ohtani - Personal Statistics
Here are the official physical statistics confirmed by Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Los Angeles Dodgers/Angels organizations.
| Attribute | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Shohei Ohtani | Japanese Baseball Player |
| Date of Birth (DOB) | July 5, 1994 | (age 31 years) |
| Height | 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm) | One of the tallest players in MLB. |
| Weight | 210 lbs (95 kg) | Official playing weight. |
| Sex / Gender | Male | |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown | Typical of East Asian descent. |
| Hair Color | Black / Dark Brown | Typical of East Asian descent. |
Detailed Family Background, Residence, and Wife
Shohei Ohtani was raised in a highly athletic family in Ōshū City, Iwate Prefecture, Japan. The information on his family members is based on their known professional histories and public statements.
Immediate Family Members and Known History
| Family Member | Relationship | Profession / Background | Residence Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toru Ohtani | Father | Former amateur baseball player (Industrial League). | Resides in Japan. |
| Kayoko Ohtani | Mother | Former top-level badminton player. | Resides in Japan. |
| Ryuhei Ohtani | Older Brother | Former professional baseball player (Japanese minor leagues). | Resides in Japan. |
| Mamiko Tanaka | Wife (Married 2024) | Former professional basketball player (WJBL - Fujitsu Red Wave). Height: *5'11" (180 cm)* (Confirmed). | Resides in Southern California with Shohei Ohtani. |
Education and Early Life in Japan
- Hometown: Ōshū City, Iwate, Japan.
- Schooling: Graduated from Hanamaki Higashi High School.
- Early Achievement: Broke a high school record with a 160 km/h (99.4 mph) fastball in 2012.
- Current Residence: Shohei Ohtani maintains his primary residence in Southern California due to his contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
🏟️ Historic Career Timeline: NPB to Los Angeles Dodgers
NPB Legacy: Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (2013–2017)
The "Two-Way Player" concept was nurtured here, leading to unprecedented success in the Japanese league.
MLB Achievements: Two-Time Unanimous MVP (2018–2023)
Shohei Ohtani won the AL Rookie of the Year (2018) before making history with two unanimous AL MVP awards (2021 & 2023), proving his dominance in both pitching and hitting.
The Record-Breaking Dodgers Contract (2024–Present)
His 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers remains the largest contract in global sports history, cementing his status as a financial powerhouse in baseball.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Shohei Ohtani
What is the identity of Shohei Ohtani wife, Mamiko Tanaka?
Shohei Ohtani wife is Mamiko Tanaka. She is a former Japanese professional basketball player who competed in the Women's Japan Basketball League (WJBL) for the Fujitsu Red Wave from 2019 until her retirement in 2023. Shohei Ohtani publicly announced their marriage in February 2024. Tanaka stands at 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm), giving her a notable height advantage. Following her retirement from basketball, she relocated to Southern California to live with Shohei Ohtani as he plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Who are Shohei Ohtani family members and what were their sports backgrounds?
Shohei Ohtani comes from a deeply athletic family raised in Ōshū, Iwate, Japan. His father, Toru Ohtani, was an amateur baseball player in the Japanese Industrial League, while his mother, Kayoko Ohtani, was a competitive top-level badminton player. His older brother, Ryuhei Ohtani, also played professional baseball in the Japanese minor leagues. This strong athletic background provided the foundation for Shohei Ohtani competitive spirit. The family (excluding Shohei and his wife) currently resides in Japan.
What are Shohei Ohtani height and weight?
Shohei Ohtani's official and confirmed physical statistics are a height of 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm) and a weight of 210 pounds (95 kg). This massive frame is crucial to his success, allowing him to generate tremendous power both as a pitcher (regularly hitting 100 mph) and as a hitter (leading the league in home runs). These stats are regularly updated and maintained by Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
How many MLB MVP awards has Shohei Ohtani won and what made them historic?
Shohei Ohtani has won the American League MVP Award two times (2021 and 2023). What makes his achievement historic is that he won both MVP awards unanimously. He is the only player in MLB history to have won the award unanimously more than once. This unprecedented voting result reflects his complete dominance and value as an elite two-way player, excelling equally at pitching and hitting.
What is the value of Shohei Ohtani contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers?
In December 2023, Shohei Ohtani signed a record-breaking contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The deal is valued at $700 million over 10 years, making it the single largest contract in the history of global sports. While the contract includes unique deferred payment structures, its total value highlights his unmatched market value. Following a UCL injury, he is currently active as a designated hitter but is slated to resume his two-way role in the 2025 season.