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Shohei Ohtani’s life away from the baseball diamond has at all times been intensely personal. About all he’s ever revealed is that he owns a dog named Dekopin.
Till now. Ohtani, 29, posted on Instagram within the early hours of Thursday morning that he’s married. Sure, the two-way celebrity has his first ring as a Dodger, and it got here as a shock even to the Japanese media horde that covers his every public word, step and swing.
“Not solely have I begun a brand new chapter in my profession with the Dodgers however I even have begun a brand new life with somebody from my native nation of Japan who could be very particular to me and I wished everybody to know I’m now married,” he wrote.
“I’m excited for what’s to return and thanks in your assist.”
In a scrum with reporters later Thursday afternoon, Ohtani supplied few particulars about his new spouse, their relationship or after they bought married.
He did describe her as a “regular Japanese girl” — indicating she just isn’t a fellow movie star of their dwelling nation. He mentioned they’ve identified one another for the final three to 4 years, although they’ve gone on few public dates due to the eye Ohtani receives when he goes out. He additionally revealed that they have been engaged final yr, and that she got here to Arizona to hitch him throughout spring coaching this yr.
“It’s enjoyable to be collectively,” he mentioned in Japanese. “I used to be in a position to think about being collectively for a very long time.”
The information of Ohtani’s marriage broke in the midst of the evening within the U.S. — it was late afternoon in Japan — and got here as a shock to followers, media members and even Ohtani’s new teammates with the Dodgers.
Previous to the announcement, the two-time MVP had by no means even divulged that he had a girlfriend.
“I used to be as shocked as everybody was,” mentioned supervisor Dave Roberts, whose spouse knowledgeable him of Ohtani’s marriage submit Thursday morning. “However very completely happy for him and his bride.”
“Was there a marriage?” third baseman Max Muncy joked when requested about not being invited to the ceremony. “I don’t know if anybody even is aware of if there was a marriage.”
What is thought is that the couple can have a canine companion. Ohtani included a photograph of Dekopin, a Dutch Kooikerhondje whose English title is Decoy, on his Instagram announcement with these phrases: “We hope the 2 of us — and one animal — will work collectively.”
The pooch — which Ohtani mentioned was his thought to get — grew to become a star of its personal after Ohtani launched him to the general public whereas discussing his American League MVP award throughout a televised interview on MLB Community in November.
“Possibly,” infielder Miguel Rojas mentioned with amusing when requested if he was planning to offer Ohtani a marriage reward, “one thing for his canine.”
As for because the timing of Thursday’s announcement, Ohtani mentioned he wished to do it earlier than the beginning of the season to keep away from any distractions as soon as official video games start. He would have introduced it sooner, he added, had they not encountered undisclosed paperwork points.
“Due to that,” he mentioned, “it was delayed.”
Ohtani additionally insisted that his relationship had “completely nothing to do” together with his choice to signal with the Dodgers as a free agent this offseason.
“That’s separate from baseball,” Ohtani mentioned, whereas noting that his spouse was supportive of his choice to register L.A. “The sensation was that she would go wherever with me. So it was utterly unrelated to that. The No. 1 precedence was the place I wished to play.”
Now, he not solely has a brand new crew to play for, but in addition a brand new spouse by his facet as he enters the following chapter of his profession.
“There wasn’t one factor,” Ohtani mentioned when requested what he likes most about his bride. “It’s her total vibe. It’s enjoyable to be collectively. I feel we’re a match.”
