Home Baseball Elly De La Cruz Commits to Learning Japanese for Meaningful Conversations with Shohei Ohtani at the All-Star Game

Elly De La Cruz Commits to Learning Japanese for Meaningful Conversations with Shohei Ohtani at the All-Star Game

Baseball — 07/09/2024

Not only did Elly De La Cruz make it to his first MLB All-Star game in less than a year following his first call-up to the Cincinnati Reds, but the 22-year-old has also garnered recognition for his better English both on and off the field.

Elly De La Cruz learning Japanese to talk to Shohei Ohtani at All-Star Game | FOX Sports

Since the start of the 2024 season, Dominican Republic native De La Cruz has conducted most of his interviews in English. What will be his next move?

He told reporters on Sunday that he was “learning Japanese to talk to Shohei [Ohtani].”

Like De La Cruz and many other foreign-born MLB players, Ohtani speaks a little bit of English, but when he speaks to the media and fans, he primarily requires a translator.

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In the first year of his historic 10-year, $700 million contract, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way superstar has maintained his success as a designated hitter while healing from a ruptured UCL sustained in the previous season, which has kept him from pitching this season. For the fourth time in a row, he has been selected to the National League All-Star Game, starting at DH.

Reserve player De La Cruz is expected to play in the game as a pinch hitter for Trea Turner and Alec Bohm of the Philadelphia Phillies, who will open the NL pennant at shortstop and third base, respectively.

Elly De La Cruz Learning Japanese to Speak With Shohei Ohtani at MLB All-Star Game

When De La Cruz has the opportunity to communicate with Ohtani, it remains to be seen if he will try to use any Japanese terms. “I don’t know if I’m gonna learn [in time], but I’m trying,” he replied.