In Arlington, Texas, before of the 2024 MLB All-Star Game, Shohei Ohtani and his spouse made a somewhat unusual public appearance together by walking the red carpet.
In a preseason Instagram post, Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani shocked the baseball community by revealing he was married. His spouse, Mamiko Tanaka, a Japanese basketball player, was later identified as his wife.
Before this year’s All-Star Game, which will mark Ohtani’s debut as a member of the Dodgers after he inked a 10-year, $700 million contract with them this summer, the couple was beaming.
Tanaka was dressed in a white dress, but the 30-year-old looked sharp in a brown suit with a white dress shirt underneath.
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Ohtani, who has excelled in both the mound and at bat during his MLB career, has blasted 29 home runs this season, which is an NL record, and has an OPS of 1.036.
He had Tommy John surgery, thus this season he is not pitching.
As TMZ previously reported, he and Mamiko have known one other for three or four years, but it’s unclear when they tied the knot.
In the Women’s Japan Basketball League, she represented Fujitsu Red Wave and Waseeda University.
In February, the well-known reclusive Ohtani said on Instagram that he was beginning ‘a new chapter in my work but I also began a new life with someone from my native nation of Japan who is very precious to me…’
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Ohtani went on to say that his wife was “a normal Japanese woman” and that his marriage had no bearing on his views on free will.
Ohtani remarked, “She’s willing to play wherever I want to play and she has a great understanding of my profession, but ultimately it was my decision.”
The Dodgers were taken off guard by his declaration, as manager Dave Roberts disclosed during spring training.
Roberts told AP, “I’m very happy for him and his bride.”
Regarding the wedding presents, we were taken aback and had little time to consider our options. It’s definitely on its way.
Tanaka was spotted earlier in the season at the Gocheok Sky Dome, where the Dodgers were beginning their South Korean season, watching her new husband play.
While she watched from the stands, Ohtani gave his wife a hit during his second plate appearance in the 5-2 victory over the Padres.
It’s unclear when their connection started, but it was probably the first time she had seen him play in the majors.
In May, the pair appeared in public together at a Dodgers fundraiser gala.
Tanaka will have the opportunity to see Ohtani play for the NL All-Stars on Tuesday night once more.