Who Is Shoji Asari, the Coach Who First Recognized Shohei Ohtani’s Gifts?

The baseball world knows Shohei Ohtani with distinct names. Whether it is the Two Way Phenom, A Japanese Wonder, or Yakyū shōnen, these monickers sync with his talent as a boy who bleeds baseball. His baseball career, starting from Japan to becoming the highest-paid athlete in the United States, is also a perfect reflection of this. But not all of this could be possible if Ohtani missed proper guidance. Like many stars who shined the brightest, the 29-year-old got one in coach, Shoji Asari.  

Hailing from the land of the rising sun, the 2023 AL MVP’s dream started from the Far East. He had to travel thousands of miles to turn them into a reality. For that, he required a launch pad, which was provided by the Japanese coach, perfecting Ohtani as a star on the World Stage. But the question remains: how exactly did Shoji Asari do this? An insight into Asari’s life shall answer it.

Who is Shoji Asari? Details about the baseball coach revealed

Although the information remains hazy about baseball coach Shoji Asari and his personal life, one thing is clear: Asari also bleeds baseball. Like many, he has mentored many in realizing their baseball dreams as a baseball coach and a founder of Mizusawa Pirates, which plays in the Mizusawa local league. Yes, the same team from where Ohtani became a household name after blistering with his pitching and batting skills.

Now, for almost two decades, the story has remained the same. Though Ohtani’s association with the team has strengthened, Asari is still working as a coach guiding the Pirates. As per Npr.org, “they still practice every weekend at a diamond sandwiched between a country road and a river where salmon swim upstream from the Pacific Ocean,” continuing the trend that the Dodgers star was one part of. However, to everyone’s surprise, Asuri did not think Ohtani would turn out to be a world-beater right now. Why so?

The First Meet: When Shoji Asari believed in lanky Shohei Ohtani’s determination

Physical sports demand a lot of effort and physical strength to do well, and there is a perception that bulky bodies dominate the sport. The same was the case with Shohei Otani, who was judged for being lean by Shoji Asari.

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Asari revealed, “He and his parents came to this field to see me.” Due to his physical appearance, he thought Ohtani “might like to join his school’s softball team with the rest of his friends.” But that was not the case. Then, the eight-year-old destroyed that perception and said, “I want to play hardball with this team.” This moment won Asari’s heart as he agreed to provide the eight-year-old Ohtani a path to future success.

The Impact: Asari’s role in deciding Ohtani’s fate

Japanese ethics promotes discipline and has been part of their history. The same is followed in sports, and athletes are to follow it strictly and face the punishment for failures. However, Ohtani did not go through it due to Coach Shoji Asari’s unconventional approach.

According to sports journalist Nobuya Kobayashi, the author of a book on Ohtani. “Coach Asari let his players grow freely. So Ohtani has continued to enjoy baseball the whole time.” It made him a player who loved winning it for his team while enjoying the game.

However, this also forced a change, with Ohtani emerging as a star like a double-edged sword. The first recipient of this was Japan’s top baseball league, which allowed Ohtani to hit and pitch, accepting him as a new Two Way Phenom. After this, Ohtani represented Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters for four years, from 2013 to 2017.

It put him on the World’s map as the MLB and the Los Angeles Angels players became the other recipients of his authority. It happened with the start of a rule that permits players to pitch and then bat, known as the ‘Ohtani rule.’ But it seems as though Coach Asari appreciated this but had a fear around it. Did he project the future?

A True Mentor: How Asari could rightly predict Shohei Ohtani’s storied career

Like any other coach, Shoji Asari believed in Ohtani and allowed him to nurture his dream of becoming a player who can pitch and bat. But like a true mentor, he had an inhibition, too. The reason is the stress pitching and batting could bring to the body. Asari said, “It’s up to the kids, but really, it’s impossible. Even in America, only Babe Ruth could do it. You’d better not do it. You can get injured.” 

If the last season is considered, the coach was right. Shohei Ohtani fatigued after starting a season on a high note, resulting in an injury hampering his entire season. Once destined for a record-breaking home run chase, Ohtani lost the pace and finished multiple home runs behind. Not only this, he had surgery, with many expecting him to find it tough on the mound.

However, according to Asari, Ohtani can defeat this challenge. He said, “He (Ohtani) made it big all due to his own efforts. We had nothing to do with it.” Will 2024 be the participant of this change? The time will tell.

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