Dodgers News: Shohei on Turning 31, Fatherhood, and Balancing Baseball and Life
LOS ANGELES — After Saturday’s loss to the Astros, Shohei Ohtani took a few moments to speak with Japanese media—not just about the game or his performance on the mound, but about how turning 31 and becoming a father have changed the way he sees both baseball and life.
Ohtani was thoughtful when asked about his birthday, brushing aside the idea that age was catching up to him. “I don’t really feel like I’ve aged physically,” he said. “Compared to my early 20s, there isn’t much of a difference in how my body feels.” However, he acknowledged that the grind of a long season takes its toll later in the year, adding, “It’s important to manage that by taking breaks when I can, eating well, and making sure I rest properly.”
While Ohtani said he doesn’t feel any slower, he admitted that his mindset has evolved since entering his 30s—especially after becoming a father earlier this year. “Mentally, I think I’ve changed quite a bit,” he said. “Having a family and a child definitely shifts your perspective. It’s not all just positive change, but it helps you grow.”
That growth, he said, extends to the way he approaches his days both on and off the field. “I try not to bring baseball home with me,” Ohtani explained. “Of course, if I’m alone I might reflect on how the game went. But when I’m at home, I want to focus on being present. The field is the field, and home is home. I think I’ve been able to keep that balance pretty well.”
Asked about how fatherhood has affected his game, Ohtani said the biggest change is in his ability to reset mentally. “It’s helped me separate things. I can leave a game behind more easily and come back with a clearer mindset. I’m still adjusting, but I feel like I’m spending quality time in both parts of my life.”
As for his performance on the mound Saturday, Ohtani was satisfied overall, though he admitted he didn’t throw as many curveballs or splitters as he’d hoped. “I probably should have tried out the curve and splitter more,” he said, “but I felt like the slider was working well and gave me a chance to get outs efficiently, so I stuck with it.”
He also noted the unique lighting conditions at Dodger Stadium during his outing, saying both teams were likely dealing with reduced visibility during that time of day. “It was a little hard to see, and reactions were a bit delayed at the plate,” he said. “But I felt like I was seeing things clearly enough and just wanted to stay in rhythm.”
Now 31 and balancing the responsibilities of both elite athlete and new parent, Ohtani continues to evolve—not just as a player, but as a person. “These kinds of life changes don’t always come with only positives,” he said, “but I do think they help you grow. At the end of the day, everything is part of the experience.”
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