Shohei Ohtani already lives a unique baseball life as a global two-way sensation. Now add “new dad” to his impressive resume. On April 19, 2025, Ohtani and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, welcomed their daughter into the world. This deeply personal milestone arrived amidst the intense pressure of 2025 season. It naturally sparked questions about how “ShoTime” would juggle sleepless nights with hitting bombs. His most recent comments provide a glimpse of that new reality.
Just ten days after his daughter’s arrival, Ohtani delivered a signature moment. On April 29 at Dodger Stadium against the Miami Marlins, he came to the plate to lead off. He didn’t wait long, crushing the very first 95.5 mph pitch from Sandy Alcantara for a 394-foot home run. It was his first home run as a dad, a game-tying blast. Ohtani finished the night 1-for-4 with the homer, an RBI, two runs, drawing a walk, and swiping a base. And his home run sparked a 15-2 Dodgers win.
After that special outing, Ohtani offered a few glimpses into his new off-field life. He expressed deep gratitude for his family’s health above all else. Acknowledging the obvious lack of rest that comes with a newborn, he framed it positively. “I’m just grateful for a safe delivery,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “I’m glad that, even though I couldn’t sleep as much as I’ve wanted to, it’s a good kind of not getting enough sleep situation.” That perspective shows his acceptance, even embrace, of universal new parent fatigue.
While maintaining gratitude, Ohtani also spoke frankly about the inevitable changes that fatherhood demands. “The rhythm itself, of course, changes a little,” he acknowledged, demonstrating the fact perfectly. “For example, today I went to the hospital and came straight to the field.”
Ohtani’s bat remains electric despite new demands
Despite these new demands, Ohtani’s performance at the plate remained largely elite through April. His .288 batting average and .942 OPS are slightly below his 2024 MVP peak but still fabulous. He hit 7 homers and stole 8 bases in only 28 games. His RBI total (10) was not as good, mostly because he spent plenty of time at leadoff with the Dodgers. But his high run total (29) speaks to his effectiveness at setting the table from that top spot. He’s still clearly a major offensive force.
Impressively, after a mini-adjustment period following his return to the field from paternity leave (a 2-for-16 stretch), Ohtani caught fire. In the five games leading up to and including his first “dad homer,” he was phenomenal. Ohtani hit .368 with a stunning 1.289 OPS during that span. This powerful push highlighted his natural capacity for quick turnaround and execution despite a relatively major life change.
Ohtani’s continued excellence fuels a Dodgers team that looks dominant early. They ended April with a 20-10 record, leading the NL West. Their offense is relentless, scoring more than five runs per game thanks to stars like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith surrounding Ohtani. Injuries certainly are a potential obstacle on the pitching side, where names like Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow have lost time. But the lineup of hitters gives them a huge cushion most nights.
Shohei Ohtani is navigating uncharted territory, balancing global superstardom with changing diapers. His positive outlook, describing sleep deprivation as “good,” speaks volumes about his attitude.
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