There is a saying that “there are a hundred reasons why something cannot be done.”

Human beings are naturally good at finding excuses. However, no matter how convincing those reasons may sound, they never lead to better performance or real results.

When Shohei Ohtani first arrived in Major League Baseball, he faced significant challenges.

During spring training and exhibition games, he struggled both at the plate and on the mound. As a hitter, he often appeared overpowered by pitchers, and as a pitcher, he was frequently hit hard. Fans began to question what kind of player he truly was.

Some even wondered what had happened to the “Japanese Babe Ruth.”

Ohtani himself was also adjusting to a completely new environment.

The differences in baseballs, the feel of the mound, and the overall conditions in MLB all required adaptation. Many pitchers—not just Ohtani—struggled with the slippery MLB ball.

But Ohtani refused to use these differences as excuses.

Instead, he made a powerful statement:

“I need to be able to perform even if I’m told to throw a random rock lying on the ground.”

Rather than focusing on what he could not control, Ohtani chose to focus entirely on what he could do.

His mindset reflects a fundamental truth: those who achieve results do not dwell on excuses—they adapt, adjust, and find a way 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.19