Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani hasn’t disappointed his fans! The Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs showcasing their skills and international appeal is a wonderful way to kick off the Tokyo Series opener. However, amid this much-awaited game being played in Japan, the former baseball manager has surprisedly revealed why Ohtani replaced one of the best pitchers. 

The then manager of the Nippon Ham Fighters, Hideki Kuriyama, had some great memories of Team Japan and their biggest star, Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani and Kuriyama’s relationship dates back long before Ohtani made an entry into the pro league. The former manager played a crucial role in influencing the Japanese superstar to sign with a team after being drafted in 2012. They both went along well, as Ohtani showed his mettle as a two-way player and led the Fighters to win the Pacific League tenant and even the Japan series in 2016.

And now, after all these years, while Shohei Ohtani is dominating Major League Baseball, Kuriyama-San recalled some of the memories and revealed some behind-the-scenes moments. Meanwhile, Yu Darvish is likely to miss the start of the 2025 season due to some inflammation in his elbow. And that’s the reason, Ohtani may replace him. On March 19, Kuriyama, when asked about the first time he saw Ohtani pitching, said, “Well, Yu Darvish was the best pitcher in Japan at the time. I could already see Ohtani’s pitches coming with the arc and speed of Darvish’s pitches. I was really surprised.” 

Despite Yu Darvish being a great pitcher, Kuriyama found that Ohtani also pitched at the same speed as Darvish pitched, and that’s not all! Hideki Kuriyama even said that the first time he saw Ohtani pitching was in his senior high school days. Luckily, he was watching the game where Ohtani pitched from the opposite team. For him, the sky was the limit—the way he played.

Soon, Kuriyama and the Fighters ensured pitching to Ohtani, providing the desired resources and opportunities that made him a two-way player at present. Is this what Ohtani believes? Definitely! However, despite heaping praise on his former manager, Ohtani made some shocking revelations about how tough Kuriyama used to be.

Superstar Shohei Ohtani has his say on the tough love shown by his former manager

When asked about how important a role Kuriyama played in his life, Ohtani clearly said, “He’s certainly one of my mentors. If it wasn’t for Mr. Kuriyama, I probably wouldn’t have become a two-way player.” And it’s true, given the constant motivation and advice he gave Ohtani to push beyond his limits and try to improve consistently. And that might be the reason; he ranks above all pitchers, replacing one of the best, YuDarvish, right now. However, Ohtani also mentioned the tough love from him, as he always pushed him to get better. But that’s not all!

Shohei Ohtani wanted to begin his career in Major League Baseball from the beginning. However, after the Fighters included him, Kuriyama mentored him, enhancing his two-way abilities, and that’s what distinguishes Ohtani from others at present. Now, while dominating the MLB, Ohtani revolutionized the actual meaning of being a two-way player. And there’s no second thought to it that Hideki Kuriyama’s influence has been quite important in Ohtani’s life-changing career in baseball.

What, according to you, are Shohei Ohtani’s life-changing moments—is it Kuriyama’s influence or his natural two-way playing style? Share in the comments below.