Samurai Japan recently became the 2023 World Baseball Classic Champions after an action-packed tournament. They beat Team USA in an intense Finals game, with two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/shohei-ohtani/] closing the game for them. The game was a close affair and had fans on the edge of their seats. Many celebrities congratulated Japan and its stars for the massive win. In fact, pop star Harry Styles also had a message for Team Japan. Styles is currently on his Love On Tour, with his most recent concert taking place in Tokyo, Japan. During his performance, he surprised his Japanese fans and baseball fans with a special message. HARRY STYLES RECENTLY CONGRATULATED JAPAN FOR WINNING THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC Samurai Japan recently beat Team USA to win the 2023 World Baseball Classic. It was an intense battle between the two sides, with Shohei Ohtani striking out Mike Trout to win the game [https://www.essentiallysports.com/mlb-baseball-news-shohei-ohtani-bests-mlb-teammate-mike-trout-as-team-japan-clinch-their-third-world-baseball-classic-title-in-nail-biting-clash/]. Most recently, Harry Styles congratulated Japan for winning the WBC while on Tour in Tokyo. Jomboy Media shared a video of Styles congratulating Japan on Twitter. The British pop star conveyed his words in Japanese, appealing to the local audience. In the Tweet, Jomboy Media said, “Harry Styles congratulates Japan on winning the World Baseball Classic 🔥”. According to a translated version, seen on the video as text, Styles said, “I’m back in Tokyo, long time no see! I’m Harry, 29 years old! Japan won at the WBC, Congratulations! Is everyone doing alright?” This was a touching message from the pop star as he congratulated the Japanese people and the team. [https://www.essentiallysports.com/ufc-mma-news-ufc-superstar-conor-mcgregor-mocks-harry-styles-controversial-dress/] It also shows the global impact of the game as many celebrities watched the WBC and followed it. The tournament has now come to a close, with many baseball fans looking forward to the 2023 MLB season. THREE TEAMS LEAD ALL OTHERS AS EARLY FAVORITES TO WIN THE 2023 WORLD SERIES Although the 2023 MLB season is yet to start, early favorites to win the World Series have already been predicted. Most experts consider the Houston Astros the favorites after winning the World Series in 2022. Also in the conversation are the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Watch This Story: 5 Movies For Every Baseball Fanatic [https://www.essentiallysports.com/stories/mlb-news-5-movies-for-every-baseball-fanatic/] It will be interesting to see how this changes as the season progresses. What do you think of Harry Styles congratulating Team Japan for winning the World Baseball Classic? Kindly share your thoughts in the comments below. 

Team Japan recently took home the World Baseball Classic Championship after a
difficult tournament. Pop star Harry Styles congratulated them.

Pranay Mukherjee is an MLB author at EssentiallySports. On completing his
Bachelor’s in Mass Communication, he followed his passion for writing and
started working as a content writer. His passion for sports has led him to
sports journalism. Pranay is a die-hard manga and anime fanatic. The Anime 'Ace
of Diamond’ drove him to love the game of baseball.

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Pop Star Harry Styles Congratulates Team Japan on Their World Baseball Classic
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<h2 style="color: #252525;text-align: center">Shohei Ohtani: Net Worth 2024, MLB Career, Relationships, and More</h2>
<h2 style="color: #252525;text-align: center">What is the net worth of Los Angeles Dodgers' star Shohei Ohtani?</h2>
As described by the media and his sponsors, Shohei Ohtani is a once-in-a-lifetime talent who recently inked a history-breaking $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. According to various sources, Shohei Ohtani's net worth was approximately $50 million in 2023, prior to landing a deal with the Dodgers. 


[caption id="attachment_2541444" align="aligncenter" width="8001"]<img class="size-full wp-image-2541444" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-12-22T010301Z_1643876178_MT1USATODAY22156122_RTRMADP_3_NFL-NEW-ORLEANS-SAINTS-AT-LOS-ANGELES-RAMS.jpg" alt="" width="8001" height="5334" /> Dec 21, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers player Shohei Ohtani attends the game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]
While the specifics of the contract clauses are kept confidential, industry experts speculate that Ohtani stands to potentially earn approximately $105 million annually in 2024. This estimated sum combines his salary from the Dodgers and endorsement deals. With Ohtani being a generational talent, his parents deserve a special mention.

<h2 style="color: #252525;text-align: center">Who are his parents? All you need to know about his life and family</h2>
On July 5th, 1994, the baseball unicorn-to-be was born to Toru and Kayoko Ohtani in Oshu, Japan. For the unversed, Sho-time hails from a family of athletes. On the one hand, his father, Toru, earned a livelihood by working in a local automobile manufacturing plant in the same country, and he was an avid baseball player in the Japanese Industrial League. Recognizing young Shohei's natural talent for the game, Toru understood the importance of wholeheartedly dedicating himself to coaching his son.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2571375" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Ohtani-Parents.png" alt="" width="1132" height="822" />
On the other hand, Shohei’s mother was in a different league altogether. In her high school days, Kayoko actively played badminton, which led her school authorities to keep her reserved for the local games. 
In a brief span, her exceptional skills on the court propelled her to the national level. Nevertheless, she opted to retire from sports in her late twenties and prioritized her family.
Ryuta Ohtani, the older brother of Shohei, initially pursued a career as an amateur baseball player and later transitioned into coaching for a corporate baseball team. Meanwhile, their sister, Yuka, engaged in volleyball during her teenage years before embarking on a career in the medical field. It is safe to say that sports run in the blood of the Ohtanis.

<h2 style="color: #252525;text-align: center">A Star on the Diamond: A Look at Shohei Ohtani’s Baseball Career</h2>
After being trained by his father, the now-best baseball player in the world", he attended Hanamaki Higashi High School, pitching for the school team. At just 18, Ohtani showed his incredible pitching ability by tossing a near-100-mph fastball.
Although he wished to join the major leagues right after high school, Ohtani joined the Japanese team Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in 2013. It was here that Ohtani honed his skills as a hitter and a pitcher to become one of the hottest prospects in baseball. He recorded some of the best statistics of any Japanese player, ranging from strikeouts to home runs in the sport's history.


[caption id="attachment_1735240" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1735240" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-05-10T230436Z_1529850878_MT1USATODAY20637185_RTRMADP_3_MLB-HOUSTON-ASTROS-AT-LOS-ANGELES-ANGELS.jpg" alt="Shohei Ohtani" width="1920" height="1280" /> May 10, 2023; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates with the kabuto helmet after hitting a two run home run against the Houston Astros during the ninth inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]
Amidst interest from many MLB teams, Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Angels in December 2017. He played his first MLB game against the Oakland Athletics on March 29, 2018. During this game, he played as a designated hitter, hitting a single on his first at-bat. Two days later, he made his pitching debut against the same opponents.
He won the American League Rookie of the Year in 2018, marking his potential for the rest of the MLB. However, he suffered a bipartite patella injury in 2019, which cut short his second MLB season. Prior to this, the Japanese star underwent Tommy John surgery, which put his pitching career in doubt.
In 2020, Ohtani suffered a flexor strain on his elbow, which once again endangered his pitching capability. However, the then-27-year-old produced one of his finest MLB seasons in 2021, both as a pitcher and a hitter. After delivering one of the best and most remarkable seasons in 2022, Ohtani asserted, “My pitching numbers are better. I’m just playing with more confidence after experiencing last year.”


[caption id="attachment_781400" align="aligncenter" width="1392"]<img class="size-full wp-image-781400" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2021-09-26T014826Z_1535639680_MT1USATODAY16829036_RTRMADP_3_MLB-SEATTLE-MARINERS-AT-LOS-ANGELES-ANGELS.jpg" alt="Shohei Ohtani At Yankee Stadium" width="1392" height="1920" /> Sep 25, 2021; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) triples against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]
In his sixth Major League season with the Angels, the 29-year-old has garnered various accolades in both diamond and mound. From ranking in the Top Four in the American League in home runs and recording a second career 40+ HR season as a hitter to leading the AL to pitching his first career complete game and first shutout as a pitcher to record 10+ pitching wins and 30+ HR for a second consecutive season. In every aspect, the baseball season of 2023 will go down in history as the Year of Ohtani. Why? Owing to his “record-setting” deal.

<h2 style="color: #252525;text-align: center">Largest contract in the MLB history: Shohei Ohtani’s contract in detail</h2>
On December 9, 2023, shortly after the conclusion of the MLB Winter Meetings, Shohei Ohtani concluded his initial venture into free agency by inking a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Although the “richest in North American sports history," this deal had a catch: $68 million out of the $70 million annually are deferrals. This clearly means Ohtani is set to earn only $2 million a year from 2024 to 2033. The deferred payments, which is $68 million a year, will be distributed without interest from 2034 to 2043.


[caption id="attachment_2463072" align="aligncenter" width="2339"]<img class="size-full wp-image-2463072" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-12-14T233308Z_1005565715_UP1EJCE1TF7I2_RTRMADP_3_BASEBALL-MLB-OHTANI-NEWSER.jpg" alt="Shohei Ohtani" width="2339" height="1614" /> Baseball - Shohei Ohtani Press Conference - Centerfield Plaza, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California, United States - December 14, 2023 Shohei Ohtani during the press conference REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci[/caption]
By the time Ohtani starts receiving his deferrals, a contract with the Dodgers will no longer bind him. According to experts, the two-way phenomenon is poised to potentially save between $90 and $100 million in state taxes, mainly because he is a resident outside of California after the conclusion of his “pretty interesting” structured contract on paper.

<h2 style="color: #252525;text-align: center">A successful journey: All his achievements so far</h2>
From staying local with Nippon Professional Baseball to becoming the unicorn in the Major League lights, Shohei Ohtani’s baseball journey is a testament to grit, talent, and wanderlust. Here are all his achievements so far:
International

<ul style="color: #252525">
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;color: #252525">World Baseball Classic MVP (2023)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;color: #252525">All-World Baseball Classic Team (2023)</li>
</ul>
MLB

<ul style="color: #252525">
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;color: #252525">AL Hank Aaron Award (2023)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;color: #252525">AL home run leader (2023)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;color: #252525">3× All-Star (2021–2023)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;color: #252525">2× AL MVP (2021, 2023)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;color: #252525">4× All-MLB First Team (2021-2023²)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;color: #252525">2× All-MLB Second Team (2021, 2022)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;color: #252525">2× Silver Slugger Award (2021, 2023)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;color: #252525">3× Edgar Martínez Award (2021–2023)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;color: #252525">2× AP Athlete of the Year (2021, 2023)</li>
 	<li>Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award (2021)</li>
 	<li>AL triples leader (2021)</li>
 	<li>AL Rookie of the Year (2018)</li>
</ul>
NPB

<ul style="color: #252525">
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;color: #252525">Japan Series champion (2016)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;color: #252525">Pacific League MVP (2016)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;color: #252525">Designated Hitter Best Nine (2016)</li>
 	<li>2× Japan Professional Sports Grand Prize (2016, 2018)</li>
 	<li>2× Pacific League Pitcher Best Nine (2015–2016)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;color: #252525">Pacific League ERA leader (2015)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;color: #252525">Pacific League Battery Award, with Shota Ono (2015)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;color: #252525">WBSC Player of the Year (2015)</li>
 	<li>5× NPB All-Star (2013–2017)</li>
</ul>
<h2 style="color: #252525;text-align: center">Is he married? The truth behind his relationship with Kamalani Dung</h2>
“Ohtani likes to keep his cards close to his chest." Didn’t we already notice this most recently while he was adamant about keeping his free agency moves private? Surprisingly, this applies to not only his professional life but also his personal life. 
Ohtani, who is officially and publicly married to Mamiko Tanaka since the late February of this year, has been a victim of marriage rumors. Although not much is known about Ohtani's past relationships or the woman in his contact, Kamalani Dung, a Hawaiian woman who is said to be a professional softball player, was once strongly linked to the Japanese man.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1585948" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Adobe_Express_20220513_2049360-1024x576-1.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />
Having represented Puerto Rico in the sport as a right-handed pitcher, Dung is called a "YouTube Pitcher." As the name suggests, Kamalani acquired her softball throwing skills through YouTube videos and tutorials. Even after this, she managed to earn a gold medal at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games in Barranquilla, Colombia.
Incidentally, in the same year, the now-26-year-old posted a picture with Ohtani on her Instagram account. As soon as the post went viral, the baseball fandom was quick to conclude: ‘Ohtani dating Dung’. However, immediately after, Dung cleared the air, stating that she was just a massive fan of Shohei.

<table style="color: #252525;width: 91.9149%">
<tbody style="color: #252525">
<tr style="color: #252525">
<td style="color: #252525;width: 25.2418%;text-align: left">
Age
</td>
<td style="color: #252525;width: 65.3597%;text-align: left">
29
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="color: #252525">
<td style="color: #252525;width: 25.2418%;text-align: left">
Nationality
</td>
<td style="color: #252525;width: 65.3597%;text-align: left">
Japanese
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="color: #252525">
<td style="color: #252525;width: 25.2418%;text-align: left">
Team
</td>
<td style="color: #252525;width: 65.3597%;text-align: left">
Los Angeles Dodgers
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="color: #252525">
<td style="color: #252525;width: 25.2418%;text-align: left">
Net Worth
</td>
<td style="color: #252525;width: 65.3597%;text-align: left">
$50million
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="color: #252525">
<td style="color: #252525;width: 25.2418%;text-align: left">
Endorsements
</td>
<td style="color: #252525;width: 65.3597%;text-align: left">Hugo Boss, Topps, Fanatics, Oakley, ASICS, Seiko Watch, JAL Airlines, Descente, New Balance </td>
</tr>
<tr style="color: #252525">
<td style="color: #252525;width: 25.2418%">
Height
</td>
<td style="color: #252525;width: 65.3597%">
1.93M
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="color: #252525">
<td style="color: #252525;width: 25.2418%">
Weight
</td>
<td style="color: #252525;width: 65.3597%">
94kg
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="color: #252525">
<td style="color: #252525;width: 25.2418%">
Marital Status
</td>
<td style="color: #252525;width: 65.3597%">
Single
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="color: #252525">
<td style="color: #252525;width: 25.2418%">
Parents 
</td>
<td style="color: #252525;width: 65.3597%">
Kayoko Ohtani and Toru Ohtani
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

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