As children grow into adults, they gradually learn what they can and cannot do. That process often leads to more realistic choices — but it can also mean quietly abandoning old dreams and narrowing one’s sense of possibility.

Shohei Ohtani rejects that narrowing.

“I think it’s a waste to limit yourself based on assumptions — to casually decide, ‘Maybe this is as far as I can go.’”

Ohtani began playing baseball in the second grade. From that point forward, he confidently declared, “I’m going to become a professional baseball player.” He has said that he never once thought he might fail to reach that level.

In high school, he set a goal of throwing 160 kilometers per hour (99+ mph) — and achieved it. Entering professional baseball, he openly declared his intention to pursue a two-way career. In just his second season, he became the first player since Babe Ruth to record double-digit wins and double-digit home runs. By his fourth year, he led his team to a Japan Series title and won league MVP.

In Major League Baseball, he won Rookie of the Year, became a home run champion — something once thought impossible for a Japanese player — and captured multiple MVP awards.

At every stage, he refused to define his ceiling in advance.

“When it comes to how far I can go, I don’t need limits.”

For Ohtani, effort follows belief.

And belief, when left unconstrained, expands possibility.

He does not assume he can do anything.

But he refuses to assume he cannot.

Source

This quote comes from a Japanese book published in Japan and is not currently available in English.

Shohei Ohtani: Baseball Chronicle I (Japan Edition 2013–2018), p.126