Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, are expecting their first child, the athlete announced via Instagram on Saturday. This news comes nearly a year after the couple’s surprise marriage announcement and marks another major life event in what has been a remarkable period for Ohtani.
The announcement, which featured a photo of Ohtani's dog, Dekopin, did not include any details about the baby’s due date. Ohtani, known for his privacy, has kept his personal life largely out of the public eye.
Over the past year, Ohtani’s life has been a series of significant milestones and challenges. He signed a record-breaking $700 million contract with the Dodgers, revealed his marriage, and was also the victim of a multi-million-dollar embezzlement scandal involving his close friend and interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.
These dramatic events occurred alongside federal and MLB investigations into the scandal. Additionally, Ohtani purchased a new home, achieved MLB's first 50-50 season, won the World Series and received his third MVP award. He also underwent elbow surgery at the end of last season and spent 2024 rehabbing while serving as a designated hitter.
Despite the various developments, Ohtani's year reflects the extraordinary pace of life for one of baseball's most talented and popular figures. He is known for his unique dual-threat abilities as both a pitcher and a hitter.
Ohtani’s relationship with Tanaka, a former professional basketball player, was not publicly known until a month after their marriage announcement. Given this pattern of privacy, further details about their child are expected to be limited. The athletic backgrounds of both parents, however, have already led to speculation about the potential athletic prowess of their future child.
