Shohei Ohtani and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, recently celebrated their parenthood on April 19, 2025. He expressed his gratitude to all the medical professionals and the Dodgers organization.
He is a Japanese professional baseball designated hitter and pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Shohei Ohtani, affectionately known as “Shotime,” is the epitome of a baseball prodigy.
His journey began in elementary school, and his talent was undeniable when he first picked up a bat and glove in second grade.
He had the skills to join any elite powerhouse program in Japan’s big cities, but chose to stay close to home, inspired by his idol, Yusei Kikuchi. He honed his craft with the same dedication that would later define his career.
On October 21, 2012, Shohei announced that he would bypass Japan’s professional league and pursue his dream of playing in Major League Baseball (MLB).
However, destiny had other plans, and the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters drafted him in the 2012 NPB draft, delaying his MLB aspirations but setting the stage for his rise to stardom.
Shohei finally made his long-awaited MLB move, signing with the Los Angeles Angels on December 9, 2017.
In 2021, he claimed his first American League MVP Award, a feat he repeated in 2023 with a historic two-way performance unlike anything seen in modern baseball.
Moreover, on December 11, 2023, he signed a 10-year contract with the Dodgers and led his team to a World Series championship.
Shohei Ohtani and Wife Mamiko Tanaka Welcome Baby Girl
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, have welcomed their first child, a baby girl. He announced the good news on his Instagram page on Saturday.
While he has kept his personal life out of the spotlight, this joyful milestone has given fans a rare glimpse into his life off the field.
Shohei surprised fans in February 2024 when he revealed he was married to Tanaka, a former professional basketball player in Japan.
To all my friends and fans throughout, I have an announcement to make:
Shohei Ohtani
Not only have I began a new chapter in my career with the Dodgers but I also have began a new life with someone from my Native country of Japan who is very special to me and I wanted everyone to know I am now married. I am excited for what is to come and thank you for your support .
The married couple has taken another exciting step in their journey as first-time parents.
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ designated hitter and pitcher kept details about the baby’s name private.
He missed two games, including Friday’s matchup against the Texas Rangers, to be with his wife for the birth. He was placed on the paternity list, which allows players up to three days off to welcome a new child.
The 31-year-old MLB superstar has dominated headlines for his historic two-way performances.
Meanwhile, his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, is no stranger to professional sports. Before retiring recently, she played basketball in Japan’s Women’s Japan Basketball League (WJBL).
Thus, their daughter will inherit some impressive athletic genes with both parents being elite athletes.
Despite the brief absence, Shohei has returned to the Dodgers’ lineup, helping the first-place and defending World Series champions continue their dominant season.
Moreover, the timing of the birth was significant, and Shohei marked the occasion by sharing a heartfelt Instagram post celebrating Mamiko’s first Mother’s Day, featuring a sweet family photo.
Shohei Ohtani’s Wife, Mamiko Tanaka, Played Professional Basketball
Shohei Ohtani is known worldwide as baseball’s most electrifying two-way superstar, and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, has had an impressive athletic journey.
Before marrying the baseball star, Mamiko played professional basketball in Japan.
Shohei Ohtani’s wife (Mamiko Tanaka) is an absolute Baller 😤🔥
— LA Sports Report (@LA_SportsReport) October 30, 2024
pic.twitter.com/oh4KQcyclX
Mamiko showcased her athletic skills in the Women’s Japan Basketball League (WJBL) as a power forward for the Fujitsu Red Wave from 2019 to 2023.
Standing at 5 feet and 11 inches tall, she was a versatile presence on the court, capable of stretching the floor with her shooting while also dominating the boards.
During the 2022–23 season, she averaged 7.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 24 minutes per game.
Moreover, she competed internationally and was one of the remarkable athletes at Waseda University. She was a Silver Medalist at the 2017 Summer Universiade.
Mamiko nearly made the 2021 Olympic qualifying roster for Japan’s 3×3 women’s basketball team. Her near-selection speaks to her elite skill level, even though she didn’t make the final cut for the Olympics.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Shohei Ohtani, the son of Toru and Kayoko Ohtani, was born on July 5, 1994, in Mizusawa, Iwate, Japan.
- His father was an amateur baseball player who played in the Japanese Industrial League, and his mother was a national-level badminton player in high school.
- He is the youngest of three children and has a sister, Yuka, and a brother, Ryuta.
- In Japan, he was known as yakyū shōnen, a kid who lives, eats, and breathes baseball.
