Today, Shohei Ohtani is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the world.

However, when he first joined the Los Angeles Angels, there were moments when his performance was compared to that of a high school player. Through steady improvement and results, he built his reputation and reached the elite level he holds today.

Even so, his position was never something he took for granted.

At the start of the 2021 season, there were even concerns about whether he would be able to continue as a two-way player. Those doubts were erased when he delivered an extraordinary season—winning nine games as a pitcher, hitting 46 home runs as a batter, and earning the American League MVP award.

Yet even after achieving that level of success, Ohtani remained grounded.

Before the 2022 season, he said:

“Teams change every year. Naturally, I don’t think there’s any guarantee for me.”

In Major League Baseball, roster turnover is constant. Players come and go through free agency and trades, and even championship teams can look completely different the following year.

No position is ever truly secure.

Ohtani understands this reality.

Rather than relying on past achievements, he approaches each season with the mindset of earning his place all over again—preparing from spring training and aiming to perform wherever he is needed.

Source

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

Shohei Ohtani Feature, Number 1048, p.11