“There is a famous quote by Dettmar Cramer, often called the father of Japanese football:
‘The final whistle is the kickoff for the next match. Let’s start training now.’
After a crushing defeat at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Cramer gathered his players before even attending the closing ceremony and immediately began training again. Four years later, Japan won a bronze medal at the Mexico Olympics.
Shohei Ohtani shares a similar philosophy.
On October 1, 2018, after completing his first Major League season, Ohtani made a decision that surprised many.
Early the next morning, he left his home at 5 a.m. and underwent Tommy John surgery.
Among several possible dates suggested by doctors, he chose the earliest one available.
When asked why, he answered:
“The sooner, the better. The moment the season ends, the next season has already begun—so there’s no reason to wait.”
Most athletes would take time to rest after a long season.
But for Ohtani, the end of one season is simply the starting point for the next.
Considering the long rehabilitation process ahead, he prioritized time above all else.
Even facing the uncertainty of his first major surgery, he chose not to hesitate.
Instead, he moved forward immediately—focused only on preparation and what comes next.
Source
This quote comes from a Japanese book published in Japan and is not currently available in English.
Shohei Ohtani Feature, Number 968–969, p.13