The Major League Baseball season officially kicks off with a two-game series between the defending World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Chicago Cubs. The series opens in Tokyo on Tuesday, bringing the biggest baseball star in the world, Shohei Ohtani, back to his home country to start the season after winning his third MVP award.
Ohtani, a two-way super-duper star, recently sat down for an exclusive interview with CBS Evening News in anticipation of the series. “I’m not perfect, but I’m grateful for being here right now, including all the imperfections,” Ohtani told CBS News correspondent Adam Yamaguchi. “I’m also really thankful to the people in America who helped develop and bring baseball to Japan.”
Known for his exceptional skills on both the pitching mound and at the plate, Ohtani has been compared to legendary players like Babe Ruth. “Babe Ruth is definitely one of the players I respect, so being compared to or used as an example alongside such a player is something I always feel is very special for me,” Ohtani said.
For the youth playing baseball today, Ohtani is a hero and an inspiration. He carries the weight of their expectations both on and off the field. “It really means a lot to me when kids who play baseball say they want to be like Shohei Ohtani,” he said. “I feel a strong responsibility to make sure I don’t let those kids down.”
Ohtani’s impressive performance last season included hitting .310/.390/.646 with 54 home runs, 130 RBI, and 59 stolen bases. Despite dealing with a major elbow surgery, he managed to secure his first NL MVP award. This season, he will focus on his role as the Dodgers’ designated hitter as they aim for another World Series title.
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