Shohei Ohtani has achieved extraordinary success as both a pitcher and a hitter.

From winning MVP awards to making history in Major League Baseball, his individual accomplishments are undeniable.

But for Ohtani, personal success has never been the ultimate goal.

During his time with the Los Angeles Angels, despite having elite talents like Mike Trout and Albert Pujols, the team struggled to win consistently and failed to reach the postseason.

In 2021, Ohtani delivered one of the most remarkable seasons in baseball history—hitting 46 home runs and earning 9 wins as a pitcher.

Yet, the team finished with a losing record.

Reflecting on that season, he said:

“My goal is to help the team win. That’s what gives meaning to me doing both.”

Even after winning his first MVP award, Ohtani did not measure success by individual recognition.

For him, being a two-way player only matters if it contributes to team victories.

Without that, the achievement feels incomplete.

This perspective reveals a deeper truth about his mindset:

Greatness is not defined by what you achieve alone,

but by what you contribute to others.

Source

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

Shohei Ohtani Feature, Number 1040, p.15