Shohei Ohtani’s Most Unforgettable Moments from Early 2025

From the return of Shohei Otani after 663 days since the season opener, to his impressive home run, to his innocent expression....

2025-08-18

|SPORTS

The couple appeared together at the “Red Carpet Show” held just before the MLB All-Star Game on July 16. They looked a bit shy.

Ohtani’s Most Stunning Best Scenes

Ohtani and His Wife Captivate the Nation with a Second Consecutive Red-Carpet Appearance

On July 16 (Japan time), Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers appeared with his wife, Mamiko (28), at the annual MLB All-Star “Red Carpet Show.” Regarding his outfit that day, Ohtani revealed, “I chose my clothes to match my wife’s color.” Mamiko wore a pale orange dress inspired by the yellow peaches native to Georgia, the event’s host state, while Ohtani donned a charcoal gray suit. Bathed in the flashes from media from both Japan and the U.S., they became the stars of the season’s most anticipated baseball event.

FRIDAY looks back on Ohtani’s “BEST Scenes” through July, capturing decisive moments on camera.

Ohtani’s 2025 season began in Japan. In the season opener on March 18 at the Tokyo Dome, he recorded two hits. The following day, he hit his first home run of the season to right field, electrifying the Japanese public. Baseball analyst Nachi Tomonari commented:

“From the opener through May, Ohtani showed unstoppable batting. Leading the league in runs scored, he established himself firmly as a leadoff hitter. Even as his batting average dropped, he maintained a high on-base percentage, creating opportunities for those who followed. Notably, he has already hit 10 leadoff home runs this season (as of July 22). While he often bats second now, having a power hitter at the top of the lineup is a significant threat to opposing teams.”

Interestingly, Tomonari points to an unexpected “BEST Scene” from Ohtani’s season through July:

“In a four-game series against the Padres at Dodger Stadium in June, Ohtani was hit by pitches twice. While most players would be furious and possibly start a brawl, Ohtani calmed his teammates, holding back the bench with his left hand. His motto, ‘Getting frustrated means losing,’ shone through in that moment. The opposing pitcher was suspended for two games, a severe penalty that showed MLB’s unified stance in protecting Ohtani, reaffirming his superstar status.”

Former MLB player Keiichi Yabu highlighted Ohtani’s two-way player comeback on June 17 after 663 days:

“It’s otherworldly that Ohtani uses a Major League mound for a ‘tune-up’ appearance (laughs). Although he had some control issues, seeing him pitch is a blessing. After the first game, he commanded multiple pitches with high precision—fastballs over 100 mph (161 km/h), sweeping sliders, power sinkers, and vertical sliders with sharp drop-offs that confuse even experienced batters. His three consecutive strikeouts on July 13 against the Giants were spectacular. Ohtani calls his own pitches rather than relying on catcher signals. His ability and baseball IQ allow him to dominate on the mound.”

Yabu also picked Ohtani’s 32nd home run on July 12 as the “BEST Scene” as a batter:

“At Oracle Park, the Giants’ home field, hitting a ball beyond the outfield fence and into the water is called a ‘Splash Hit.’ It’s incredible that a Japanese player achieved this. Having pitched there myself, I know the stadium is enormous with high fences. Still, Ohtani launched a massive 125-meter fly ball to right field that easily cleared the fence.”

Ohtani is expected to produce countless more “BEST Scenes” in the second half of the season.