Mother’s Day is a special occasion to honor mothers’ unwavering love and sacrifices around the world. This year was no different, but it unexpectedly got caught up in the chaos among MLB fans. Traditionally, Mother’s Day in Major League Baseball has been a heartfelt celebration, with players wearing shades of pink and offering emotional tributes to the women who shaped their lives. What should have been a heartfelt tribute to mothers this year, as well, ended up igniting a storm of emotions on social media. The focus of this unanticipated debate? None other than Shohei Ohtani.

So, let’s unfold what has happened. MLB’s official X account posted a nostalgic 1999 picture of a young Ohtani with his mother, Kayoko, celebrating Mother’s Day. The caption read, “Mom will always be your biggest fan! Mother’s Day.” While the image was touching, many fans felt the league’s focus on just one player overshadowed the broader spirit of the day—a time meant to honor all mothers across the baseball community.

Instead of highlighting the diverse stories and tributes from players around the league, the post sparked backlash, with fans accusing MLB of turning a heartfelt celebration into a one-player spotlight.

It goes without saying that the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ two-way star has amazed people with his unmatched ability. His journey from Mizusawa, Japan, to MLB fame is well-documented, with his parents, especially his mother Kayoko, playing a key role. A former national-level badminton player, Kayoko is the one who introduced Ohtani to sports early on and helped him develop his physical ability. It’s often said that behind every successful man is a woman; for Ohtani, that woman is his mother.

As for this post by MLB, Ohtani did not engage. Instead, he posted a special message on his Instagram handle. He celebrated his wife’s Mother’s Day; he shared a picture of himself and his wife, Mamiko, holding the hands of their newly born son. He captioned the post, writing, “Happy Mother’s Day,” with a red rose emoji. The couple, who welcomed their first child together on April 19, are experiencing the delights of new parenthood.

However, the buzz about Ohtani on Mother’s Day was anything but pleasant. It’s not like fans were upset with him, but they made sure to give the league an earful on their one-sided Mother’s Day gesture. On social media, fans voiced their unhappiness about what they saw as the league’s over-emphasis on one player during a day designed to honor all mothers.

Fan reactions: A mixed bag of sentiments

Anything Ohtani does, or anything that happens around him, instantly draws attention. Why? It’s clearly because of his superstar aura. So, the same thing happened here, but with a twist. One fan commented, “Shameless at this point, lol.” Yes, his performance on the mound and the plate has made him one of the most beloved players in MLB. But was this a little over the top?

Jersey number 17 is an once-in-a-generational kind of player, and there’s no denying that. Many believed that MLB had overshadowed the Mother’s Day celebration by focusing on Ohtani. “Somehow found a way to make Mother’s Day about Ohtani.” But making everything around him? That’s questionable.

Shohei Ohtani’s talent and global appeal have drawn in more baseball fans, but his immense popularity has also caused division. Many love him, while some think his constant media attention might detract from other deserving players. One fan put it this way: “I expect a post like this for each player in MLB now thank you.” Did MLB post for every player? Fans demand it—maybe next time.

Talking about Ohtani without a comparison? Hard to believe. One fan wrote: “The glaze is real, now show the best player: Aaron Judge.” It’s not the first time they’ve been compared. And this season, both are unstoppable at the plate, just like their fans.

Can we talk about Ohtani without mentioning his contract? Probably not. One fan even joked, “I bet MLB is getting some of that 700 million deferred money.” Everyone in the league fraternity knows about Ohtani’s 10-year, $700 million contract and the deferred payments, which Ohtani suggested to give the Dodgers more financial flexibility. It shows that fans weren’t quite in awe of the post.

Ohtani’s story is inspiring, but the reaction shows the importance of including everyone. Everyone celebrates Mother’s Day, and MLB fans expect the team to honor all moms. Will MLB learn this lesson?