After two weeks of speculation, Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers star, has finally revealed his wife’s face, Mamiko Tanaka. Sharing a moment on Instagram, Shohei Ohtani posted a story featuring himself, his wife, and members of the staff, including his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, gathered in front of a flight as they prepared to jet off for the Seoul Series.
Just 14 days ago, Ohtani took to Instagram to announce his marriage and express his excitement about starting a new chapter, both personally and professionally, with someone special from his homeland. However, the identity of Mrs. Ohtani remained a closely guarded secret until now.
Previously, in a statement reported by the New York Post, Shohei Ohtani expressed his discretion regarding his wife, stating, “She is a Japanese woman, and I don’t feel at ease discussing the specifics of our marriage, including the exact date,” as conveyed by his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara.
Who is Mamiko Tanaka?
Former basketball standout Mamiko Tanaka, born on December 11, 1996, began her athletic journey at Waseda University before transitioning to the Fujitsu Red Wave in Japan’s Women’s Basketball League. She excelled as a power forward/center while playing with Fujitsu Red Wave from 2019-2023.
Mamiko Tanaka attempted to jumpstart her career in the USA. However, unfortunately, she was not selected in the 2018 WNBA draft.
MLB fans are hoping to see more pictures of Shohei and Mamiko together from the Seoul Series which is happening in South Korea. The highlight of the Seoul Series lies in Shohei’s debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Los Angeles Dodgers’s regular-season opener game against the San Diego Padres will take place on March 20.
In November 2023, Shohei Ohtani surpassed contenders Corey Seager and Marcus Semien from the Texas Rangers to claim the MVP Award in November 2023. He was unanimously voted by all 30 eligible Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) voters.
In December 2023, Shohei Ohtani made headlines by signing a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The unique terms of the contract include $2 million in annual payments until 2034, with the remaining $680 million deferred without interest until 2043. Notably, the agreement lacks traditional opt-out clauses, ensuring Ohtani’s commitment to the team throughout the entirety of the contract.
Additionally, Ohtani has pledged charitable donations to a Dodgers charity, capped at 1% of the contract’s total value. Moreover, the contract includes provisions for strategic tax planning, potentially allowing Ohtani to mitigate California’s high income taxes by relocating from the state before receiving the deferred payments.
