When Shohei Ohtani was in his third year at Hanamaki Higashi High School, he publicly declared his intention to pursue Major League Baseball rather than enter Japan’s professional league. One of the key figures behind that decision was Keishi Kojima, the Japan-based scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers who had followed Ohtani since his first year of high school.

Kojima first saw Ohtani in April of his freshman year during a practice game. Ohtani was batting fourth and playing right field. Kojima was immediately struck by his swing — smooth, powerful, and full of natural talent. He admired Ohtani’s balance when running and was impressed by his throws from the outfield. Watching his arm strength, Kojima thought, He has to be a pitcher. But what truly stood out was Ohtani’s rare athleticism.

From that point on, Kojima traveled to Iwate several times a year. What left a deep impression on Ohtani and his high school manager Hiroshi Sasaki was not that Kojima came when Ohtani was performing well — but that he came even when Ohtani was injured or struggling.

In sports, as in life, people tend to gather around you when things are going well. But when performance declines or injuries occur, they often disappear. Kojima did not. He continued to visit, even during difficult periods. Looking back, Ohtani said he felt “very grateful and encouraged” by that consistency.

It was that unwavering support that moved him. Much like a child wanting to make their parents proud, Ohtani felt something simple and human:

If someone believed in his potential, then he wanted to show them how much he had grown.

For Ohtani, Kojima was more than a scout — he was someone who saw possibility before results existed. Choosing MLB was not just about challenge or ambition. It was also about gratitude, loyalty, and growth.

Source

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

Opening a Path, Crossing the Ocean: The True Story of Shohei Ohtani, p.161