Shohei Ohtani makes rare speech in English as Dodgers star's wife soaks up the spotlight at World Series parade
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Shohei Ohtani gave a rare speech in English on Monday as the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their World Series success with a parade through the city.
Japanese star Ohtani, who typically communicates through a translator, sent Dodgers fans wild as he vowed to win the World Series again next season.
Ohtani and the Dodgers won a nail-biting Game 7 against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday night, handing them back-to-back World Series titles.
The two-way star was joined by his wife Mamiko, who was making a rare public appearance to celebrate her husband's success.
When the celebrations reached a packed Dodger Stadium, a clearly shy Ohtani took the microphone and told fans: 'Hello, hello. I want to say that I am so proud of this team and you guys are the greatest fans in the world.
'I am ready to get another ring next year. Let's go.' His speech earned a rapturous reception from his fans, teammates and manager Dave Roberts.
Shohei Ohtani made a rare speech in English on Monday as the Dodgers celebrated their title
The two-way star was joined on the bus by wife Mamiko as she made a rare public appearance
Tanaka, 28, is a former basketball player who played in Japan's top women's league
Ohtani and the Dodgers won a nail-biting Game 7 against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday
Ohtani has kept his private life separate from his public life, with Mamiko and his daughter mostly out of the public eye.
Their marriage was mostly a secret as well. Not even the Dodgers knew about it until after the couple had already exchanged their vows.
Ohtani married Tanaka in a secret ceremony in 2024, with the former NL MVP taking a few weeks to reveal exactly who she was after first announcing that he had wed a mystery woman in February.
'I began a new chapter in my career with the Dodgers, but I also have started a new life with someone from my native country of Japan who is very special to me,' he said on social media.
Tanaka is a 28-year-old former Japanese basketball player who played in the country's top women's league.
In April, they welcomed a baby girl into the world, just over a month since stunning the baseball world with their surprise nuptials.
Tanaka (right) stands with fellow Dodgers WAGs Brianna Betts (left) and Chelsea Freeman
Prior to the definitive final matchup of the 2025 MLB season, the Dodgers WAGs all gathered for a group photo to celebrate the team's accomplishments.
Mamiko wore an all-black outfit accented by a white jacket meant to look like her husband's Dodgers uniform.
At one point, she posed with two other superstar WAGs - Chelsea Freeman, the wife of Freddie Freeman, and Brianna Betts, the wife of Mookie Betts.
Chelsea posted the picture of herself, Mamiko, and Brianna and captioned it 'My girls'.
Daily Mail
