In sports and business alike, people often talk about “promising young talent” or “highly anticipated rookies.”

But no one ever says “highly anticipated veteran.”

That is because being “expected” usually means people are hopeful about what you might become.

If you succeed, everyone celebrates.

And if you fail, people can still say, “Well, that happens.”

Shohei Ohtani experienced that kind of expectation early in his career.

Even during his years with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, many hoped to see him play in the World Baseball Classic.

But injuries prevented him from participating.

By the time the 2023 WBC arrived, however, things had changed dramatically.

This was no longer simply a dream appearance for Ohtani or for Japan.

He had become one of the central stars of the baseball world.

And with that status came a very different kind of pressure.

Ohtani explained it this way:

“There’s a difference between being expected to perform and being counted on.”

According to Ohtani, when people merely expect something from you, all you really have to do is try your best.

But when you become someone a team is counting on, consistent results are no longer optional.

At that point, people no longer hope you might succeed.

They assume you will.

And that responsibility creates real pressure.

As Ohtani put it, being “counted on” makes him feel that he has to deliver properly every single time.

His words reveal an important aspect of elite athletes.

True greatness is not simply about potential.

It is about becoming someone whose performance is trusted, depended upon, and built into the team’s expectations.

For Ohtani, being “expected” was only the beginning.

Being “counted on” is what proves you are truly established.

Source

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

Number 1048, p.11