Shohei Ohtani’s 2024 is ending on a high note, which is pretty impressive, considering what a wonderful year it’s been.
This year marked the first of the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar’s ten-year, $700 million contract (98% of which is deferred), and he lives up to it.
Ohtani, who did not pitch while recovering from elbow surgery, became the first person to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season, en route to winning his third MVP award in the last four seasons.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani walks the red carpet with his wife Mamiko Tanaka before the 2024 MLB All-Star Game at Globe Life Field. (Kevin Jairaj-USA Today Sports)
Personally, he was disappointed in the postseason, but his Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in the World Series.
Now, with just a few days left in the year, Ohtani announced that he will become a father.
Ohtani posted a photo on Instagram of her now famous dog, Decoy, lying next to a jumpsuit and shoes, along with an ultrasound. The baby’s sex was not revealed, as the site was pink and the shoes were blue, but Ohtani appeared to use a boy emoji to cover the ultrasound photo.
“Can’t wait for the little rookie to join our family soon!” Ohtani captioned the post.
In February, Ohtani revealed that he was married to a “normal Japanese woman” named Mamiko, but did not reveal when it happened.
Los Angeles Dodger Shohei Ohtani, his wife Mamiko Tanaka and dog Decoy arrive at Dodger Stadium for the team’s World Series Championship celebration. (Sandy Hooper-USA Today via Imagn Images)
ATHLETICS PRESIDENT DAVE KAVAL TO RESIGN AFTER UNPOPULAR TEAM MOVE TO LAS VEGAS
“I felt like it was a good time because it was before the season,” he added. “I really didn’t want any distractions once the season started. I would have liked to announce it sooner, but there were some paperwork issues that (delayed) the whole process.”
There are reports that American League MVP Aaron Judge and his wife will soon welcome their first child as well.
Ohtani’s 134 runs scored and 411 total bases were the most in the majors, and he led the National League in home runs (54), runs batted in (130), on-base percentage (.390), slugging percentage (646) and 9.2. bWAR.
His .310 average in the National League was second to Luis Arráez’s .314, and his 59 stolen bases trailed only Elly De La Cruz, who stole five more bags.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani drives in a run with a single during the second inning of Game 4 of a National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ohtani won the American League MVP in 2021 and 2023 as a member of the hometown Angels and finished second to Judge in 2022. He is one of 12 players to have been named MVP three times.
