Shohei Ohtani has reached Korea with plenty of fanfare.
The Japanese-born MLB superstar landed in South Korea on Friday along with his new Dodgers teammates and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, for Los Angeles’ season opener against the Padres, which is slated for next week.
Ohtani announced on Feb. 29 that he got married, but earlier this week, it was finally revealed that he was together with Tanaka.
“She is a Japanese woman, and I don’t really feel comfortable talking about when I got married, the exact date and stuff,” Ohtani, who is private about his personal life, said at the time through interpreter Ippei Mizuhara.
“But she’s a normal Japanese woman.”
Tanaka, a basketball player from Japan, is a 5-foot-11 power forward/center, according to Asia Basket’s website.
Shohei Ohtani arrives with his wife Mamiko Tanaka ahead of the MLB Seoul Series at Incheon International Airport on March 15, 2024 in Incheon, South Korea.Getty Images
Ohtani and Tanaka visited South Korea as many fans attempted to greet them wearing Dodgers jerseys, per reports.
He lightly acknowledged the fans with a smile and a wave.
Shohei Ohtani is set to make his Dodgers regular season debut on March 20.
Mamiko Tanaka (R), wife of Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani (L), arrives with the baseball team’s players at Incheon International Airport in Incheon on March 15, 2024, ahead of the 2024 MLB Seoul Series baseball games between Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres.
Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani (C) arrives with his wife Mamiko Tanaka (L) and his team’s players at Incheon International Airport in Incheon on March 15, 2024, ahead of the 2024 MLB Seoul Series baseball games between Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres.
Supporters of Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani hold signs as they wait for the baseball team’s arrival at Incheon International Airport on Friday, March 15, 2024, in Incheon, South Korea, ahead of the team’s series against the San Diego Padres.
The Associated Press noted that fans held placards that read like “GOATANI GO.”
Ohtani, who signed a 10-year, $700 million deal this offseason, and the Dodgers are among the favorites to win the World Series this coming season after having a high-profile off-season.
They’re set to face the Padres for the first game of the year on Wednesday at Gocheok SkyDome at 6:05 a.m.