When Shohei Ohtani announced his intention to move to Major League Baseball, there was no shortage of interest.

Even with a $20 million posting fee paid to the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, Ohtani was seen as a once-in-a-generation talent—a 23-year-old two-way star who had already led his team to a championship and won MVP honors in Japan.

For many MLB teams, signing him felt like an incredible opportunity.

After narrowing his options down to seven teams—the Dodgers, Angels, Mariners, Rangers, Padres, Giants, and Cubs—Ohtani held meetings before ultimately choosing the Los Angeles Angels.

Even the teams that were not selected spoke highly of his sincerity and respect during the process.

That attitude carried over onto the field.

In May 2018, Ohtani faced one of the teams that had pursued him, the Seattle Mariners. He delivered a strong performance, pitching into the seventh inning, allowing two runs, and recording six strikeouts to earn his third win.

After the game, he said:

“I want to give my best performance against every team that made me an offer. I want them to feel that scouting me was not a mistake.”

His words reflect both gratitude and determination.

He does not take interest from others for granted—instead, he responds with performance.

It is this combination of respect and responsibility that defines Ohtani as a true professional.

Source

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

The Birth of a Two-Way Major Leaguer: Shohei Ohtani, p.117