From the rustic countryside of Japan to the grand stadiums of Major League Baseball, Shohei Ohtani’s life is a story that echoes passion. Sho-time’s insatiable love for baseball was instilled in him by his father, who also played the sport. Thereafter, Ohtani set his sights on the ultimate goal – to play baseball in America. And he did just that, earning his place among the biggest names in the game.

But now, the prodigy has returned to his homeland, ready to don the colors of Japan ahead of the World Baseball Classic. And as he emerged from the airport, the two-way phenom was welcomed with the kind of fanfare only icons receive, proof of his iconic status in the world of baseball. 

Shohei Ohtani received a warm welcome upon his return to Japan 

Shohei Ohtani, after a special ride in a private airplane, emerged from Tokyo airport. As proof of his rise to stardom, a rapturous welcome awaited him upon his return to Japan. The sheer energy and excitement of the moment as Ohtani first came into view, greeted by frenzied fans and a mob of cameras, was certainly something else! 

But amongst the masses, one young fan stood out with his impassioned plea: “Ohtani Senshu! Sign Kudasai! The kid’s voice rang out loud and clear for the two-way sensation who has captured the hearts of fans both young and old. However, the chaos of the moment meant that Ohtani had to be swiftly whisked away in a van to avoid the throngs of adoring fans. But even as he disappeared from view, the excitement surrounding the baseball phenom’s return continued to reverberate. 

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With Seiya Suzuki of the Chicago Cubs joining him as a teammate on the Japanese team, the World Baseball Classic is set to be a wild ride for the Japanese team. Especially after Suzuki had previously extended an invitation for Ohtani to join him in his own MLB team. 

How did baseball fans around the world react to the video?

Fox MLB analyst Ben Verlander is a known Shohei Ohtani fan, and the online community on the thread of the video he shared, has taken notice. 

Among the many comments on the thread were some fascinating glimpses into Ohtani’s past, including photos of the athlete during his rookie years with the Japanese team. Comparing these old images to the Ohtani of today, it’s clear that the fresh-faced rookie is now a veteran.

And one fan wrote in Japanese, capturing the feeling of awe when they saw Ohtani emerge, “It was the first time I saw a Japanese person other than the prime minister returning alone on a chartered plane” 

It’s clear that Ohtani has become more than just an athlete – he’s a cultural icon for his nation!

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