As a kid, baseball was simply a hobby for the Oshu, Iwate-born Shohei Ohtani. However, just like the surrounding people, the eventual two-way wonder was quick to realize his potential in the ballpark. As a result, Sho-time, or say Japanese Babe Ruth, signed with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters at the age of 18. At the same time, Ohtani also jotted down a list of life goals paralleled with his age. And with his most recent WBC wonders, a massive revelation about his retirement plans comes to light.
After winning the MVP award in his pool, and helping Japan register four consecutive wins before the eliminators, Shohei Ohtani helped carry his country to the final trophy in a final-innings thriller. As expected, Ohtani also bagged the MVP award for the globally staged tournament. And guess what life goal did he hope to achieve by the age of 27?
Does this mean that Shohei Ohtani’s baseball career can come to an end soon?
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As reported by Joe Pompliano, at the age of 27, Ohtani wanted to be a part of team Japan and win an MVP award. As his diary said, “Member of Japan WBC team and MVP.”
Evidently, he checked this box. But what does this say about his potential retirement?
When Shohei Ohtani was in high school, he wrote out life goals for each year of his life from 18 to 42.
It included everything from when he wanted to join an MLB team to when he wanted to have kids.
The craziest part?
His age 27 goal:
"Member of Japan WBC team and MVP" 🤯 pic.twitter.com/DRKUSt346S
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) March 22, 2023
As he approaches free agency and a possible $500 million contract for his all-round abilities, Ohtani’s diary revealed his plans to retire by the age of 39. The 2021 AL MVP’s life goal at 39 said, “Age 39: Decide to retire at the end of next season”
This is how fans reacted to the information about Ohtani’s potential retirement:
While some fans spoke about the star’s foresight in planning his downfall, others expressed extreme discontent over Ohtani’s retirement.
Age 38: stats drop, start to think about retirement
He’s even planning the negatives
— The Geo (@Haseagogo) March 22, 2023
Age 38: Start to think about retirement🥲
— shome4ever (@jJ45KSUQ3D128Xc) March 22, 2023
To be fair, he also said world series at 27 and we all know how that's going….
— TeH ChIzzLeR (@Ld1ddy) March 22, 2023
That's some crazy manifestation
— LG w2truong (@w2truong) March 23, 2023
There was never a '22 WBC Scheduled 🤔
— Hans 🦁 (@norsemann80) March 22, 2023
Best player in the MLB and it’s not even close!
— trueblue 🌎 (@beaner4eva) March 22, 2023
And people still argued Judge was better than him 🤡🤡🤡
— David (@daviddetijuana) March 22, 2023
Irrespective of when he retires, there is absolutely no question about the turmoil Ohtani will create in the upcoming MLB season.
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Shohei Ohtani now has one up over Angels teammate Mike Trout
As expected by millions of people across the globe, the ultimate deciding World Championship game in the WBC was between the United States of America and Japan. In this game, teammates and stars from Anaheim, Mike Trout, and Shohei Ohtani went head to head for the first time. However, as is the case in sports, only one emerged victorious.
At the mound was Ohtani, with minimum experience as a closer. In the box was Mike Trout, who could easily turn the game around despite Japan’s 2-3 lead. For Japan and their wonder boy, the turn of events was right out of a storybook, as Sho-time carried Japan to the trophy.
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WATCH THIS STORY: Japanese Two-Way Baseball Star Shohei Ohtani Hits 100th Major League Homer