It’s pretty frustrating, really.
There’s just no direct translation in English for this Japanese term that captures countless feelings of irritation.
You can feel it’s frustrating when you slip up. Or when you’ve really put in the effort but it still wasn’t good enough. Maybe it’s because you didn’t give it your all, or something someone said hit too close to home. Or perhaps it’s that awful sting of embarrassment.
Ultimately, it’s about that sense of not being able to come to terms with what has happened.
Recently, in a special on NHK, Shohei Ohtani reflected on his Game 7 performance against the Blue Jays in the World Series.
Just four days after his last outing, Ohtani was impressive, yet he faced a tough moment when he barely navigated a loaded bases scenario in the second inning. But it all fell apart in the third inning when Bo Bichette crushed a three-run homer, leaving the Dodgers trailing 3-0. Soon after, with just one out, Ohtani was pulled and Justin Roblewski took the mound.
His frustration was tangible when he discussed Bichette’s home run, declaring it was “disgusting.”
Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts understood Ohtani’s emotions as he took the ball from him.
Roberts noted, “There was a lot of frustration. Maybe even some anger.”
Reaching greater heights
Before he moved to the U.S. in late 2017, Ohtani made his ambitions clear during a press conference in Tokyo.
He stated, “As long as you’re playing baseball, I think it’s natural to want to be the best.”
For the past five years, he’s earned this title, winning four MVP awards. Joining the Dodgers two years back filled a significant void in his achievements. They turned around after a shaky start in Game 7 to clinch the championship, making Ohtani a back-to-back World Series champion.
What sets a four-time MVP apart is the constant search for new motivation. Roberts believes that the recent struggles will push Ohtani to even higher levels.
“Shohei needs some sort of motivation,” Roberts said. “He’s already the best in the game, probably the best ever. So, how does he stay motivated? He channels the things that frustrate him. Getting shortstopped in Game 7 is something he probably won’t let happen again.”
Often, Ohtani appears very polite and light-hearted with teammates, but there’s a fierce intensity behind that demeanor.
Many liken him to a baseball version of Kobe Bryant.
This year could potentially see Ohtani win the Cy Young Award, a significant accolade he has yet to claim in eight seasons.
Roberts speculated, “I wouldn’t be shocked if he and (Yoshinobu) Yamamoto are in the Cy Young conversation throughout 2026.”
Responding to challenges
During a press conference between Games 2 and 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Brewers, Ohtani faced questions about his pitching affecting his batting, amidst an offensive slump.
Two days later, he silenced critics by hitting three homers and striking out ten batters across six innings of scoreless ball.
Ohtani insisted that he doesn’t find motivation from criticism. Yet, when he experiences what many would label as “disgusting,” he responds with extraordinary performances that defy expectations.
Back when he joined Japan’s Nippon-Ham Fighters, choosing to be a two-way player was met with skepticism. But he quickly established himself as the best two-way player in the league.
His transition to the U.S. wasn’t without hurdles; there were doubts about his hitting ability during his first spring training with the Angels. Nonetheless, he won Rookie of the Year largely as a batter after limiting his pitching due to an elbow injury.
At the start of the 2021 season, when Angels management told him he would face no days off in his schedule, he feared they wanted him to choose between pitching and hitting.
However, he went on to win his first MVP award.
Those who know Ohtani well, including Roberts, understand the implications. He’s on track to be a formidable pitcher this season.
Push the limits
In the postseason rotation, Ohtani was the third starter, with two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell and World Series MVP Yamamoto ahead of him.
Apart from the last outing against the Blue Jays, he maintained a solid pitching record, concluding with a 2-1 record and a 3.50 ERA in three starts. The team’s reliance on him overshadowed the challenges he faced throughout the season as he was focused on recovery.
In his first year with the Dodgers in 2024, Ohtani didn’t pitch while recovering from prior elbow surgery. He made his return to the mound mid-way through last year, showing remarkable adaptability and talent by gradually increasing his innings pitched.
Using insights from control issues faced by pitchers post-surgery, Ohtani adjusted his approach to enhance velocity, moving away from prioritizing control alone.
Now, as he approaches his second season back from surgery, the 31-year-old is primed to pitch in what he believes is his most effective style.
Roberts recognizes that Ohtani may not start the full range of 28 to 32 games typical for Cy Young contenders; he sees the need to be cautious for Ohtani’s future. Still, this could be the year where Ohtani has the most productive season of his career.
He’s healthy, in his prime, and given how last season wrapped up, he might just push the limits of what’s possible again.
