Ohtani’s Unyielding Determination

Really, the one question you shouldn’t pose about Shohei Ohtani is “What if?”

Asking what might happen if he trained in both roles—there’s no need. We’ve seen it.

Curious about what would occur if he pitched in the same game? Well, we have the answers. What if Ohtani, nearing 32, decides to take on being a full-time pitcher? By the end of this season, we’ll have that figured out too.

His body isn’t perfect—injuries linger, and maybe his power is waning—but you can’t deny that Ohtani’s spirit to push boundaries has always driven him to try what others might not dare to.

And that fire isn’t flickering out anytime soon.

In a recent interview with a Japanese sports magazine, Ohtani echoed this commitment. He mentioned, “In my heart, I think this is my last chance as a pitcher.” He can’t visualize himself wanting to extend or limit his time on the mound. To put it simply, he doesn’t want to restrict his efforts for the sake of longevity.

He clarified, “I’m not suggesting it should be short,” but in essence, he wants every moment to count.

That’s right—Ohtani’s going all in. He aims to excel, but that means he won’t hold back. If injuries crop up, they’ll be part of the journey.

Take, for instance, his swollen knee or those pesky blisters. They won’t deter him from stepping into the rotation. Even with his wife welcoming their second child, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts affirmed Ohtani is still set to start on Wednesday at Minnesota. He believes he has more to show on the mound, and he wants his season to reflect that ambition. After all, he’s only pitched enough innings once to contend for the ERA title.

Ohtani’s passion for pitching is clear. He’s shown it not just in words but in action, elaborating about it in the interview he has had for years.

His dedication to pitching comes from a deep-rooted place. He learned hitting from expert coaches in his youth but admitted, “For pitching, I didn’t have that guidance, so I taught myself.” Thus, he feels a strong attachment to pitching, even perceiving a sort of awkwardness that he can’t shake. This contradiction ties into how he views his pitching journey.

Ohtani candidly expressed that he feels behind as a pitcher compared to his hitting game, partly due to his lengthy recovery from two significant elbow surgeries. The second surgery even kept him from pitching in his first season with the Dodgers in 2024, before he made a comeback in the middle of the last year.

When he reported to spring training this year, Ohtani expressed a desire to win his first Cy Young Award, and his performance showed that drive, revealing he was more effective on the mound than at the plate.

When asked why pitching holds such importance for him, he simply said, “Because it’s fun. If I can do both, I will.” Ohtani relishes the challenge, believing it benefits the team, and he finds joy in it. Being a pitcher gives him a unique vantage point in the game; he sees it as a position of significant responsibility and excitement. “It’s up to you how the game unfolds,” he reflected, noting that balance of thrill and pressure.

When he imagines the ideal pitcher, it’s himself he sees. “I want to throw pitches that the batter version of me struggles with,” he said.

Ohtani feels acknowledged by MLB’s recent rules that cater to two-way players, stating, “The best thing is that MLB has adapted, allowing pitchers to be listed as designated hitters.” It’s been gratifying for him to make a memorable impact in baseball’s rich history.

This drive pushes Ohtani to keep going.

To challenge his limits. To test his physical capabilities. He’s fully aware it doesn’t promise certainty. Sometimes, his boldness has led to setbacks; the elbow issues were reminders of that. During the World Series’ Game 7 last year, after only three days of rest, he pitched and faced criticism when the Dodgers lost, which could have tainted his legacy.

Yet, Ohtani embraces that greatness, fully ready to face the repercussions. To him, what feels unmanageable is the thought of not trying. No need for him to dwell on “What if?”—he’s already determined to pursue his passions.