One of the clearest examples of Shohei Ohtani’s competitive spirit and refusal to quit came during the semifinal game against Mexico in the fifth World Baseball Classic.
Japan fell behind after Roki Sasaki surrendered a three-run homer and exited the game in the fourth inning.
Although Masataka Yoshida tied the game with a dramatic three-run home run, Japan later fell behind again after runs allowed by Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Kyomi Yuasa.
Japan entered the ninth inning trailing by one run.
Leading off the inning, Ohtani smashed a double while his helmet flew off as he sprinted into second base.
Standing on second, he repeatedly gestured toward the dugout, passionately urging his teammates forward.
That energy spread throughout the team.
Soon after, Japan completed a dramatic walk-off victory on a double by Munetaka Murakami combined with aggressive baserunning from Ukyo Shuto.
The moment became one of the defining scenes of the tournament.
But Ohtani’s refusal to give up was not something that suddenly appeared at the WBC.
He had shown the same mentality since his very first MLB season.
In July 2018 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani struggled against elite pitching and could not record a hit.
Still, with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, he fought for a walk to reach base.
Then he stole second and used aggressive baserunning to help tie the game.
The Los Angeles Angels eventually won in walk-off fashion.
After the game, Ohtani explained:
“I just wanted to find some way to get on base and help the team.”
And behind that mentality was a simple belief:
“What matters is never giving up until the very end — until the final out is recorded.”
Even in difficult situations, Ohtani continues fighting.
That resilience — the refusal to surrender no matter the circumstances — is one of the defining qualities behind his greatness.
Source
This quote comes from a Japanese book published in Japan and is not currently available in English.
Shohei Ohtani: The Birth of a Two-Way Major Leaguer, p.156