Shohei Ohtani was the most sought-after player at the 2023 MLB All-Star Game. The number of media outlets requesting interviews was so overwhelming that his sessions had to be divided into three separate blocks.
Most questions usually revolve around baseball. But during a pre–All-Star press conference, Ohtani was asked about eating out. His answer revealed something deeper about his priorities.
“I don’t really remember eating out since the season started. There’s always another game the next day, so I can’t be getting home late.”
In fact, during the World Baseball Classic earlier that year, it was considered “rare” to see Ohtani dining out with teammates. He almost never eats out during the season — and he certainly doesn’t go out drinking.
It’s not that he cannot drink. During his time with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, he mentioned that he would have one drink when eating with senior teammates. He can drink normally. He simply doesn’t feel the desire to.
His reasoning was direct and practical:
“I don’t really have the time, and I train quite hard. If the two or three hours I pushed myself desperately can be affected by one or two drinks, then I can’t drink.”
Many people describe Ohtani as “stoic.” But for him, it isn’t about image or restraint for its own sake.
It’s about priorities.
When growth is the goal, even small compromises matter.
Source
This quote comes from a Japanese magazine published in Japan and is not currently available in English.
Kadokawa Special Issue: Shohei Ohtani Complete Feature, p.23