For baseball players, the desire to win a championship is incredibly strong.

Shohei Ohtani experienced winning the Japan Series with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. However, since moving to the Los Angeles Angels, he has not only failed to win a championship, but has not even experienced a true pennant race.

In 2021, when he delivered an MVP-winning season, Ohtani made a comment that drew significant attention:

“I want to experience a September that feels intense and meaningful.”

At the time, this remark sparked controversy, as some interpreted it as a signal that he wanted to play for a stronger team—essentially, a desire to be traded.

But as a professional baseball player, isn’t that a natural feeling for anyone?

Since then, especially as he approached free agency in the 2023 offseason, Ohtani’s future became a constant topic of discussion—largely because the Angels’ performance showed little sign of improvement.

For Ohtani, the Angels were the team that supported his challenge as a two-way player, even through injuries and difficult periods.

However, for someone striving to become “the best player in the world,” that alone is not enough.

“I really like the fans, and I like the atmosphere of the team as well.

But more than that, my desire to win is stronger.

And as a player, I believe that’s the right way to feel.”

These words clearly reflect Ohtani’s unwavering hunger for victory.

Source

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

Shohei Ohtani SHO-TIME Guide, p.176