After spending five years with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, Shohei Ohtani joined the Los Angeles Angels.

However, during his time with the team, the Angels never won their division nor reached the postseason. As a result, some critics argued that his extraordinary talent had been wasted.

Ohtani himself strongly disagrees.

He has stated with conviction that his decision was never a mistake. One of the key reasons, he explains, is that he was able to play baseball in a “stress-free” environment.

In his first spring training, Ohtani struggled to meet expectations and faced skepticism from the media and fans. During that difficult period, he regained confidence through words of encouragement from Ichiro, a player he deeply respected.

But what truly supported him was the attitude of the organization—the front office, his teammates, and the fans.

Instead of rushing to judge him, they remained patient, saying, “The season hasn’t even started yet.”

Reflecting on that time, Ohtani said:

“The people in the front office, my teammates, and the fans were incredibly warm. They stayed consistent with the mindset that ‘the season hasn’t started yet.’ That warmth supported me, and because of it, I was able to shape my growth curve into an upward trajectory. I will never forget those six important years with the Angels.”

His words remind us that when people feel uncertain or begin to lose confidence, the presence of warmth, patience, and belief from others can become the force that pushes them forward.

Source

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

Shohei Ohtani Long Interview, Number 1094–1095, p.8