Shohei Ohtani stunned fans worldwide in February 2024 after announcing his marriage to a Japanese woman in a bombshell Instagram post.
Although the Dodgers’ two-way superstar did not disclose her identity at the time, it was revealed weeks later that the 30-year-old Ohtani wed Mamiko Tanaka, an athlete in her own right.
Here’s what to know about Ohtani’s biggest supporter.
She was a professional basketball player
The 5-foot-11 Tanaka played basketball collegiately at Waseda University.
She played for the Fujitsu Red Wave of the Women’s Japan Basketball League from 2019 to 2023.
Their 2024 marriage revelation rocked MLB
Before Ohtani began his first spring training as a member of the Dodgers, with whom he signed a massive 10-year, $700 million contract in December 2023, the two-time AL MVP revealed in February 2024 that he is a married man.
“To all my friends and fans throughout, I have an announcement to make: Not only have I began a new chapter in my career with the Dodgers but I also have began a new life with someone from my Native country of Japan who is very special to me and I wanted everyone to know I am now married,” he posted on social media.
Ohtani, who spent the first six seasons of his MLB career with the Angels, later told reporters he and his wife have known one another for a few years.
The Athletic reported that Ohtani’s relationship had “absolutely nothing to do” with his decision to join the Dodgers.
She’s supported the Dodgers throughout the 2024 regular season…
Tanaka joined Ohtani in South Korea in March 2024 when the Dodgers played the Padres in the Seoul Series.
Upon their return to the U.S., Tanaka took in regular-season games at Dodger Stadium and stepped out for date nights with Ohtani at notable events, including the Dodgers Foundation’s Blue Diamond Gala in Los Angeles in May 2024, and the MLB All-Star festivities in Arlington in July 2024.
… and cheered on their run to the 2024 World Series
Ohtani clinched his first World Series berth in October 2024 when the Dodgers defeated the Mets in Game 6 of the NLCS, 10-5.
“The goal was to get this far,” Ohtani said via a translator, according to MLB.com. “I also pictured myself getting this far with the contract that I’ve signed. And, again, just being able to play on this kind of stage with the team effort, and all the games were really hard.”
Ohtani and his teammates enjoyed champagne celebrations in the Dodgers’ clubhouse after punching their tickets to the Fall Classic against the Yankees.
The Yankees last won the World Series in 2009.