Today, Shohei Ohtani is one of the highest-paid athletes in the world.

His historic contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, reportedly worth $700 million over 10 years, made headlines globally. Although much of that money is deferred, Ohtani also earns an estimated hundreds of millions of dollars annually through endorsements, placing him among the top earners in sports.

However, this was not always the case.

When Ohtani first joined the Los Angeles Angels at the age of 23, he signed a contract that was considered extremely modest by Major League standards. His deal included a $2.3 million signing bonus and a salary of about $545,000, the league minimum at the time.

Compared to other Japanese stars who had moved to MLB, the difference was striking.

Yet Ohtani never complained about his salary.

In fact, he approached the situation with a sense of humor.

During his time with the Angels, Ohtani often chose to eat meals provided at the stadium rather than dining out during road trips.

When a reporter from Number magazine pointed out that most Japanese MLB players regularly went out to restaurants while traveling, Ohtani simply smiled and replied:

“They’re making a lot more money than I am.”

It was a lighthearted remark, but it revealed something deeper.

Ohtani was fully aware of his situation, yet he never felt entitled or dissatisfied.

Instead, he accepted it with humility and continued to focus on what mattered most—playing baseball and improving as a player.

His ability to laugh at himself, even in circumstances where others might complain, is part of what makes him so admired by fans around the world.

Source

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

Shohei Ohtani: The Young Baseball Genius II – MLB Edition 2018–2024, p.39