A restaurant chain owner once analyzed the relationship between store performance and the growth of its managers.

He found that when a store’s numbers declined, managers often became discouraged, thinking, “I’m not good enough” or “I’m not improving.”
But in reality, it was often during those downturns—when they were forced to think, adjust, and innovate—that many managers experienced the most growth.

In other words, performance and personal growth do not always move in the same direction.
Sometimes, they even move in opposite ways.

Shohei Ohtani’s early MLB career reflects this idea.

In his rookie season, he recorded 4 wins as a pitcher and hit 22 home runs as a batter.
However, in 2019—his second year—he was unable to pitch due to Tommy John surgery, and his home run total dropped to 18, while his batting average remained similar.
In 2020, with a shortened season due to the pandemic, he hit just 7 home runs and posted a .190 average.

When numbers decline, it’s easy to assume a player has stopped improving or hit a wall.

But Ohtani saw it differently.

“My numbers are down compared to last year, but that doesn’t mean I’m not growing. In fact, I think I’m getting better.”

He believed that as his level increased, he became more aware of what he still couldn’t do.
That awareness led to more thinking, more experimentation, and ultimately, more growth.

True to his words, in 2021 he achieved 9 wins, 46 home runs, and won the MVP award.

Source

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

Baseball Youth II: MLB Edition 2018–2024 – Shohei Ohtani Long Interview, p.96