There is a well-known phrase in Japanese sports culture:

“Cry in practice, laugh in games.”

It means that if you endure grueling training — even to the point of tears — you will be the one smiling in victory when it matters.

Training is often portrayed as painful, harsh, something to be endured.

But for Shohei Ohtani, it carries a different meaning.

During the offseason, Ohtani dedicates most of his time to training and recovery. When asked what it feels like to see the results of that work during spring camp, he said:

“When I could feel that what I worked on in the offseason was actually showing up, I thought, ‘I’m glad I did it.’ When I can feel that, baseball is fun.”

For most athletes, the joy comes from the result — from seeing improvement.

For Ohtani, the joy begins earlier.

“Training itself is fun,” he says.

Pushing himself to his limits is enjoyable. Trying new methods and testing whether they work is enjoyable. Gaining new knowledge about his body and mechanics is enjoyable.

The result is fun — but so is the process.

That may be why Ohtani always looks like he is enjoying baseball.

Because for him, growth is not suffering.

It is discovery.

Source

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

Opening a Path, Crossing the Ocean: The True Story of Shohei Ohtani, p.281