Shohei Ohtani has won a new honor: father.
Otani announced in an Instagram post on Saturday that his wife, Mamiko, had given birth to her first child. The couple welcomed the baby girl to their family.
Otani was on his father’s list on Friday before returning to the field by Sunday. He missed the first two games of the series with the Texas Rangers and joined the final game.
Outfielder Eddie Rosario replaced Otani as the designated batsman while he was on the paternity list. The designated the Rosary for their ass on the same day Otani returned.
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manager Dave Roberts said he believes his father will make Otani even better.
“We translate some of the attributes that come from being a dad into the baseball field,” Roberts said. “Don’t sweat the little things. We understand the most important thing. Our players have seen them evolve in life and the way they see baseball.”
“He’s his father now,” joked Roberts.
Roberts highlighted Otani’s work-life balance. He soon returned to playing with the a day after his daughter’s birth.
“He certainly shows his ability to balance his life and work to make sure his baby is healthy and come back here and be a part of this,” Roberts said. “It’s good to get him back, and most importantly, I’m happy that he and Mamiko have a healthy baby girl.”
Otani joins some of the ‘ teammates on his fatherly journey.
In April 2023, Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, Evan Phillips, Brusdar Graterol, and former Caleb Ferguson all had babies within about two weeks. Then, in September of that year, Chris Taylor and former Jason Hayward, Walker Bueller and David Peralta had a joint baby shower.
For now, Otani is the only current Spy player to have a baby this season. Roberts expects he will raise the game for that.
“Dad’s strength,” said Roberts, “It’s real.”
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Photo credit: Darren Yamashita-Immagn Image
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