Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani surprised fans by revealing in 2024 that he is married to wife Mamiko Tanaka. It is unclear exactly when the couple got married, but Ohtani revealed the news on February 29, 2024, months after signing with the Dodgers.
“To all my friends and fans throughout, I have an announcement to make: Not only have I (begun) a new chapter in my career with the Dodgers but I also have (begun) 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,” Ohtani wrote on Instagram in 2024.
“I am excited for what is to come and thank you for your support.”
Here’s what you need to know about Ohtani and his wife.
Shohei Ohtani’s Wife Mamiko Tanaka Played in the Women’s Basketball League for the Fujitsu Red Wave
Ohtani is not the only athlete in the relationship. According to ESPN’s Brianna Williams, Tanaka spent four seasons playing in the Women’s Basketball League for the Fujitsu Red Wave. Ohtani’s wife is listed as a 5-foot-11 forward.
(via @1027KIISFM)
“She signed with the Red Wave in 2019, and the team finished the regular season with a 13-3 record,” Williams detailed in a March 14, 2024, story titled, “Shohei Ohtani shares first photo with wife, Mamiko Tanaka.” “The Red Wave’s most successful season during Tanaka’s tenure came in 2021.
“They finished the regular season 17-3, including an 11-1 home record to secure a postseason berth. They won the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, but were swept in the final. Tanaka shot 47.7% from the field and 69.9% from the free throw line in 28 games last season.”
Mamiko Tanaka & Shohei Ohtani Announced the Birth of Their Daughter in April
It has been a big year for Ohtani and Tanaka. Back in April, the Dodgers two-way star revealed the couple welcomed a new daughter to the world. Ohtani jokingly described the couple as “super anxious parents.”
“Welcome to the Ohtani Family!” Ohtani noted in an April 19, Instagram post. “I am so grateful to my loving wife who gave birth to our healthy beautiful daughter. To my daughter, thank you for making us very nervous yet super anxious parents.
“I would also like to thank the Dodgers organization, my teammates, and the fans for their constant support and kind words of encouragement. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to all the medical professionals and everyone who dedicated their support to us, up until this wonderful day.”
Shohei Ohtani Has Been Reluctant to Provide Many Details on His Marriage to Wife Mamiko
Ohtani has been selective regarding what he reveals about his wife and family throughout his career. After making the marriage announcement on social media, Ohtani declined to provide a timeline on the couple’s wedding. The Dodgers All-Star described his wife as a “normal Japanese woman.”
“She is a Japanese woman,” Ohtani said on February 29, 2024, per Associated Press. “I don’t really feel comfortable talking about when I got married exactly, but she’s a normal Japanese woman.”
MLB fans were not the only ones surprised by the news that Ohtani has a wife. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts admitted that the team was also surprised by Ohtani’s announcement.
“I’m very happy for him and his bride,” Roberts told the Associated Press after Ohtani’s announcement in 2024.
“As far as wedding gifts, we got surprised and didn’t have much time to think about it. I’m sure it’s en route.”
Dodgers Star Shohei Ohtani Surprised With Announcement on Wife Mamiko Tanaka