Shohei Ohtani Focuses on Dodgers’ Season, Pushes Aside Buzz Surrounding His Wife Mamiko Tanaka’s Identity

Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani has become synonymous with a history maker. Be it his ruling demeanor on the field or his ability to keep his personal life private, he has become the epitome of surprises. On the one hand, he garnered the attention of the world by signing a staggering deal with his current team, the LA Dodgers; on the other, he treated his fanbase with the sudden news of his secret marriage. However, irrespective of the surprising events in his life, Ohtani has his priorities straight.

Donning his professional self, the two-way superstar recently swiftly shifted attention to his new team days before the regular season, stating, “I try to only concentrate on what I have to do,” depicting his unfaded focus.

Sho-time defines his yakyu devotion

During a recent press conference on Saturday at Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome, the Japanese phenom revealed his determination, remarking, “I still need to be part of the team. I want to prove to everyone that I’m actually a Dodger now.” Despite the unending attention following his attention-grabbing marriage news, the sensational athlete didn’t allow a shift in his focus.

Although he “appreciates all the attention”, at the same time, Ohtani’s prime focus is playing in the Dodgers Blue. Turning attention to his teammates, especially Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, the Japanese phenom stated, “Being able to play with these great guys next to me is just exciting.”

The team will debut in the Major League Baseball season against the San Diego Padres in Seoul on Wednesday and Thursday. The two-way phenom, who signed a staggering $700 million deal for 10 years with the team, remains even more excited about his debut in the Major League as a Dodgers player.

Read More: Shohei Ohtani Achieves Lifelong Love Goal 3 Years Late, Follows WBC Win With Another Monumental Moment

Upon entering the free agency market in the 2023 off-season, he discovered endless giants behind him. Nonetheless, he landed in the Dodgers force, signing with the blockbuster team. Now, as he prepares himself to become the biggest challenge for his opponents, parallelly, he darts all his focus on his team, defying all the buzzes around his newlywed status.

Shohei Ohtani’s secret no longer a hush hush affair

Renowned as a secret keeper, the Dodgers star stunned his Japanese fans as well as the world with his post about getting married. It was February 29 when the social media bore a flood of reactions from Sho-time fans worldwide following his marriage announcement. While refraining from revealing any further details about his wife, he only introduced her as “a Japanese woman,” stirring curiosity even further.

Fast forward to Thursday, the 29-year-old icon posted a snap with his wife on Instagram, along with a few other images with the team as they headed to South Korea. It was then that the Dodgers identified her as Mamiko Tanaka, a former Fujitsu Red Wave star in the Women’s Japan Basketball League. The 27-year-old Tanaka also represented her country at U16, U17 and U18 levels.

The sudden revelation of the identity of the two-way phenom’s wife becomes the biggest discussion for the Sho-time admirers. However, pushing aside all the whispers, the Japanese star set his focus on his upcoming game against the Padres.

To catch up on some of the latest baseball action, tune into EssentialySports’ live coverage of Spring Breakout in Spring Training.

Read More: Shohei Ohtani’s Big Move Hinted at Marriage Plans Way Before His Official Announcement