Category: Baseball Philosophy

A collection of quotes that reveal Shohei Ohtani’s philosophy of baseball—his beliefs, values, and deeper thoughts about the game itself.

Would more practice fix it? Or could a shift in mindset change my condition? I felt I had to test that — so I stopped swinging the bat.
If I had only been a pitcher or only a hitter, there were clearer goals I could have set, and a future that was easier to imagine. But there wasn’t really anything I could use as a reference. So I had to build it piece by piece myself. For me, that was a good thing.
If I start thinking that someday I’ll have to choose one, before I know it my focus shifts to which one is better. Then it becomes about choosing inside myself.
What I’ve come to realize is that it’s not difficult because I’m doing both. It’s that both are difficult.
Compared to someone who doesn’t do both, there are many things you can only understand from the position of actually doing both.
Mr. Inaba often tells me, ‘You’re boring when you’re pitching.’ He says I look more relaxed — and I smile more — when I’m hitting.
Two-way? It doesn’t really matter to me. You can call it that if you want.
Being allowed to do both—pitch and hit—was a groundbreaking idea for me. It wasn’t something I had imagined. I think that made a huge difference.
Baseball isn’t something you can win alone. Everyone is connected — getting on base, running the bases, each play involves multiple people working together. We can reach the Senbatsu together as a team, and I want to add my strength to that.
Whether the baseball gods really exist or not is beside the point. Personally, I hope they do. That’s just my own wish.
Being aware that you are always being watched, and doing what must be done as a professional baseball player. That is what earns you the right to make plays that only you can make.
The three teachings were very basic, but I still remember them.I think they are things you’re told no matter what stage you reach.