"The 'Treasure of Asia': The Japanese Otani Syndrome That Even Koreans Are Captivated By"

"The Only Drawback Is Nationality" Syndrome in Korea
Asian Player Who Conquered MLB as Both Pitcher and Batter
Notable for Breaking Asian Records and Humble Personality

Shohei Ohtani, who brought the championship trophy to Japan at the international baseball tournament World Baseball Classic (WBC). Although he has already risen as a 'baseball hero' in his home country Japan, he is also attracting attention by causing an 'Ohtani syndrome' across the sea in Korea.

Not only baseball fans but also many people on social networking services (SNS) and various online communities claim to be Ohtani fans. They are not simply captivated by 'baseball player Ohtani.' His conduct and personality, passion for baseball, and even his appearance become topics of discussion. Shohei Ohtani is evaluated as having achieved 'great unity' transcending the long-standing conflicts among Asian countries.

Top-class MLB Two-way Player as Pitcher and Hitter... Asian Baseball Hero

Shohei Ohtani during the 2023 WBC Round 1 game between Japan and China held at Tokyo Dome on the 9th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Even before the 2023 WBC, Ohtani had already attracted the attention of Asian baseball fans. At the age of 24 in 2018, he entered the Major League Baseball (MLB) and wore the LA Angels uniform, growing into a player who pitches and hits.

Ohtani's 'two-way' career as both pitcher and hitter did not start smoothly. Pitchers and hitters use different muscles. There is a high possibility of physical strain while managing training schedules, and there is also a risk of remaining a mediocre player. In fact, Ohtani underwent elbow surgery in October 2018 and had to play only as a hitter in 2019.

In 2021, a year when he struggled as a pitcher, skepticism about his two-way career surfaced. The local baseball media 'Orange County Register' said at the time, "Poor batting and elbow injury make us doubt Ohtani's two-way career."

However, Ohtani persevered with indomitable spirit and maintained his two-way career, eventually achieving top-class results as both pitcher and hitter in 2022. In Japan, his skills were described as 'beyond Asian-level power.' Baseball fans from other countries such as Korea and Taiwan also paid attention to Ohtani. In the MLB, a battleground of all races including white, black, and Hispanic players, Ohtani provided a sense of 'vicarious satisfaction' for Asians.

Ohtani has also frequently made encouraging remarks about baseball in other Asian countries like Korea and Taiwan. In an interview after finishing training at LoanDepot Park in Miami, USA, on the 20th (local time), he said, "If Japan wins and becomes champion, next time maybe we (Korea, Taiwan) can win. I think that kind of feeling might arise," emphasizing that "(Asia) has the potential for baseball to grow bigger."

Career Plan Written Since High School... Thorough Self-Management

Shohei Ohtani [Photo by Yonhap News]

His strong determination for baseball, modest daily life, and handsome appearance also attract fans. Ohtani, who dreamed of becoming a baseball player since the second grade of elementary school, is known as a relentless practice enthusiast.

When he was in high school, he wrote his aspirations such as "I will change the history of the baseball world" and "I will become the best player in the world" in his student record, and even prepared a detailed life plan up to age 42 in advance. At 20, he planned to be promoted to the Major League, at 27 to become league MVP, and from his late 30s when his performance declines, he has plans for nurturing successors after retirement.

Domestic fans evaluate him as "a treasure-like existence of Asia," "someone who seems to have come out of a Japanese sports manga," and "his only flaw is his nationality."

In fact, Ohtani is also famous for his thorough self-management and ascetic, modest lifestyle without any scandals. Despite enduring a harsh training schedule, he insists on taking supplements and a simple diet of three spoonfuls in the morning and seven spoonfuls in the evening to maintain his best physical condition.

When he sees trash around, he picks it all up saying "It's luck dropped by someone else," and even in 2018, when he was already earning a salary in the hundreds of millions of yen, he drove a 'Sonata,' showing his frugality.