After becoming a free agent, Shohei Ohtani met with several organizations before ultimately choosing the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In many ways, the decision felt natural.

The Dodgers had recognized Ohtani’s extraordinary potential ever since he was still a teenager in Japan. Long before he became a global superstar, they already believed in what he could become.

But talent alone was not the reason Ohtani chose them.

What truly left an impression on him was the organization’s mindset toward winning.

Ohtani explained:

“What stayed with me most was hearing them say, ‘We don’t consider what the Dodgers have experienced over the past ten years to be a success at all.’ That made me realize just how badly everyone there wants to win.”

At first glance, that statement almost sounds unbelievable.

From 2013 through 2023, the Dodgers won their division ten times and reached the postseason in eleven consecutive seasons. They recorded more than 100 wins in five different years and were unquestionably one of baseball’s strongest organizations.

Most teams would consider that era a golden age.

And yet, the Dodgers themselves did not see it that way.

Why?

Because despite all of that regular-season dominance, they won the World Series only once during that stretch — in the shortened 2020 pandemic season.

Their last full-season championship had come back in 1988.

In other words, by the organization’s standards, they had spent more than three decades without truly reaching their ultimate goal.

That mentality resonated deeply with Ohtani.

He has never been satisfied with temporary success or impressive numbers alone. His career has always been driven by constant improvement and the pursuit of the highest possible achievement.

The Dodgers shared that same hunger.

To some organizations, winning division titles is enough.
To the Dodgers — and to Ohtani — success means becoming world champions.

That relentless refusal to settle became one of the strongest reasons Ohtani believed Los Angeles was the right place for him.

Source

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

Number 1105, p.20