When I was a kid, I watched Ichiro win the MVP, and it made me want to play in the majors someday.If possible, I hope kids today can look at me the same way.

The 2024 season ended with the Los Angeles Dodgers winning the World Series, and Shohei Ohtani capturing the MVP award.
It marked the third MVP of his career, and made him only the second player in Major League history to win the award in both leagues.
He also broke the long-held belief that a designated hitter could not win MVP, earning the honor unanimously.

When it comes to Japanese players paving the way to the majors, Hideo Nomo opened the door as a pitcher.
As a position player, however, it was Ichiro Suzuki who did the same.

In his first Major League season in 2001, Ichiro achieved what no one had before — winning the batting title, stolen base title, Rookie of the Year, and MVP all in the same year.
For young baseball fans in Japan, that moment left a powerful impression.

When the Dodgers face the Mariners in Seattle, it is well known that Ohtani often approaches Ichiro to greet him.
To Ohtani, Ichiro has long been a player he admired, and also someone who recognized his talent and encouraged him along the way.

Among all of Ichiro’s accomplishments, seeing him become the first Japanese position player to win MVP left a particularly strong mark.
Watching that as a child made Ohtani think, “Someday, I want to play in the majors too.”

Now, Ohtani hopes that children today might look at him in the same way.
Just as he once did, he wishes they might see what is possible — and dream of playing baseball together someday.

Source

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

The Path to Shohei Ohtani, the Two-Way Major Leaguer, p.248

Shohei Ohtani Quotes

When I was a kid, I watched Ichiro win the MVP, and it made me want to play in the majors someday.If possible, I hope kids today can look at me the same way.

Source

More Quotes

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If you ask what kind of player I want to become — someone who plays every day, delivers in the biggest moments, and never loses the games entrusted to him. Imagining myself as the pillar of the team is very important.

If it’s only that my form is off, then there’s room for it to come back.

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My goal right now is to fully accomplish what I haven’t yet done. As for the dream beyond that — when I design my life, it becomes, ‘Yeah, I want to try playing in the majors.’