"Shohei Ohtani is human"; "No-Sho’d the rest of the series" - Fans divided as Dodgers star's dad fears unfair expectations after NLCS Game 4 heroics

MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers-World Series Celebration - Source: Imagn
Shohei Ohtani is considered one of the greatest players of all time for his two-way prowess (Source: Imagn)

Shohei Ohtani's father, Toru Ohtani, has expressed his concerns about the weight of expectations on his son following his two-way brilliance during the postseason. During Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, Ohtani hit 3 home runs while striking out ten batters on the mound.

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In a letter addressed to his son, in Japan's Sports Nippon publication's Monday edition, Toru Ohtani stated that his two-way performance will only make fans want more.

"In Game 4 of the NLCS against the Brewers on October 17, you hit three home runs and struck out ten batters as a pitcher, earning the series MVP," the translated version of Toru Ohtani's letter read.
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"Like you said after the game-it really did feel too perfect. Once you pull off something like that, everyone starts expecting you to do it again, and as your parent, that makes me both proud and a little worried. I can't help but feel it's a bit tough on you, too."
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Fans had differing opinions on X. One side claimed that Shohei Ohtani wasn't able to follow up on the Game 4 NLCS performance, which made him like any other baseball player.

"Nah. We saw how he No-Sho’d the rest of the series," a fan wrote.
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"Hahaha get bent. $70 mil a year comes with expectations. He has sucked in both World Series," a fan claimed.
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"He should have been an OF all along. TWO Tommy John surgeries. He's missed 190 games of offensive production. He has pitched more than 52 innings 3 times in 8 years. It's a failed experiment," a fan added.
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While another side was moved by Ohtani's father's compassion, who, through his message, is trying to show his care for his son.

"Legit worried we'll forget he's human and not a video game cheat code," a fan said.
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"A father is never fearful for himself but fearful for his son," a fan noted.
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"Back to Back World Series Champion….MLB MVP. Ohtani is legendary no matter what the future brings," a fan stated.
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Toru Ohtani coached Shohei for many of his formative years. He was the head coach of the elementary and junior high school teams of the three-time MLB MVP. He was an amateur baseball player in an industrial league in Japan, and played for a team sponsored by the Japanese publication Mainichi.

Toru Ohtani warns Shohei of not being able to keep up his two-way prowess forever

Toru Ohtani also made his feelings clear about the workload toll that his son would feel as he ages. He suggested making a switch to outfielder when he becomes tired of continuing his two-way abilities.

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“Shohei, you’re 31 years old,” Toru Ohtani wrote in Japanese. “I think that as a baseball player, you’re in your prime, but there will come a time when you have to decide between pitching and hitting. When you can’t pitch anymore, you can be an outfielder. I think that if you practice, you can definitely do it.”

The 31-year-old's body will be put to the test in 2026 when he joins the Dodgers' starting rotation for his first full two-way season since 2023. Los Angeles would expect Ohtani to continue with similar dominance on the mound and at the plate.

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Edited by R. Nikhil Parshy
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