By the time the 2023 World Baseball Classic ended, it felt almost as though the tournament had been built for Shohei Ohtani.
He dominated headlines from beginning to end.
He excelled as both a pitcher and hitter.
And the tournament concluded with the perfect ending: Ohtani striking out his Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout to secure Japan’s championship victory.
The dramatic final showdown between two of baseball’s biggest superstars instantly became one of the sport’s most unforgettable moments.
The tournament also revealed just how devastating Ohtani’s two-way ability could be in short-term, high-pressure competition. Every game carried enormous tension, and Ohtani repeatedly rose to the occasion.
Naturally, after Japan captured the title, expectations immediately turned toward the next World Baseball Classic in 2026. Fans everywhere hoped Ohtani would return to defend the championship.
When asked whether he wanted to play again, Ohtani answered:
“I want to play in it again. But that depends on whether I can continue performing at a certain level myself, and I want to do everything I can to make sure that happens.”
What stands out in this comment is Ohtani’s humility and relentless mindset.
Even though the world already viewed him as an irreplaceable superstar, Ohtani never assumed that participation was guaranteed simply because of his fame or past achievements.
He did not say, “Of course I’ll be there.”
Instead, he framed it as something that must still be earned.
That attitude reflects one of the core principles behind Ohtani’s success: never becoming satisfied with the present version of himself.
Whether it is earning a roster spot, maintaining elite performance, or representing Japan on the world stage, Ohtani believes everything depends on continuous effort and improvement.
In sports — and in life — growth often stops the moment people become comfortable.
Ohtani refuses to let that happen.
His goal is not simply to remain famous or successful.
It is to continue evolving so that he always deserves to stand at the highest level of the game.
Source
This quote comes from a Japanese book published in Japan and is not currently available in English.
Chasing Shohei Ohtani: A Beat Reporter’s 10-Year Soulful Notes, p.405