Shohei Ohtani: Age, Wife, Daughter, Gambling Scandal & The Contract That Shook Baseball
Shohei Ohtani is baseball’s rare two-way superstar — a transcendent hitter and pitcher — and his life off the field has been nearly as newsworthy as his play. This post explains his age, family, the interpreter gambling scandal that made headlines, his blockbuster contract, and the hot takes that follow every big moment. Verified sources cited for key facts.
Quick Facts at a Glance
- Age: Born July 5, 1994 — Ohtani is 31 years old as of October 27, 2025.
- Wife & child: Married Mamiko Tanaka (a former pro basketball player) in February 2024; the couple welcomed a daughter in April 2025.
- Contract: Signed a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers in December 2023 (with substantial deferrals).
- Gambling controversy: Ohtani was the victim of a theft/gambling scandal involving his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, who stole nearly $17 million, pleaded guilty to federal charges, and was sentenced. Ohtani was cleared of wrongdoing.
- Blue Jays connection: Toronto was widely reported to have made a “very competitive” offer in Ohtani’s 2023 free-agent sweepstakes, but he ultimately signed with the Dodgers — so no, he did not play for the Blue Jays.
How Old is Shohei Ohtani — And Why That Matters
Shohei Ohtani was born on July 5, 1994, in Ōshū, Iwate Prefecture, Japan. That places him at 31 years old in late October 2025 — the age at which many players are entering veteran peaks or managing workloads, but Ohtani remains unique because he still produces at superstar levels both at the plate and (when healthy) on the mound.
At 31, most MLB players are deep into their prime years, but for a two-way player like Ohtani, age becomes an especially fascinating factor. The physical demands of hitting and pitching at elite levels are immense, and the fact that he continues to dominate both sides of the game speaks to his exceptional conditioning and natural talent. His birthdate and career milestones are documented on MLB’s official pages for quick verification.
Family Life: Wife Mamiko Tanaka and Their Daughter
Ohtani has kept his private life tightly guarded, but he confirmed his marriage to Mamiko Tanaka in early 2024. Tanaka is a former Japanese professional basketball player who competed in the Women’s Japan Basketball League and at Waseda University. Multiple profiles report her birthdate as December 11, 1996, making her 28 (turning 29 in December 2025).
The couple announced the birth of their first child — a daughter — in April 2025, a moment covered by major outlets and Ohtani’s own social posts. The pair deliberately shield their child’s name and daily life from public exposure, a choice that reflects Ohtani’s consistent approach to fame: let the performance speak, keep family sacred.
Tanaka’s athletic background gives the couple common ground. She understands the demands of professional sports, the media scrutiny, and the discipline required to compete at the highest level. Their relationship has been described by those close to them as grounded and supportive, a stark contrast to the circus that often surrounds superstar athletes.
The Gambling Controversy — What Actually Happened
In March 2024, reporting exposed large wire transfers tied to an illegal bookmaker and the name of Ohtani’s longtime personal interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Investigations found Mizuhara had illicitly transferred nearly $16–17 million from Ohtani’s accounts to cover his own gambling debts and related expenses.
Mizuhara pleaded guilty to bank fraud and filing a false tax return; he was later sentenced in federal court and ordered to repay funds. Importantly, federal filings and subsequent reporting make clear Ohtani himself was a victim of theft, not a bettor in the scheme, and MLB and law enforcement cleared him of any wrongdoing. That distinction — victim versus suspect — is essential when discussing the Shohei Ohtani gambling controversy.
Why this mattered: The story highlighted how personal staff and advisers can create massive off-field risk for superstars, and it prompted teams and players to tighten account controls and legal oversight. The scandal revealed vulnerabilities in how even the most careful athletes manage their finances when they trust the wrong people. Lionsgate even announced development of a scripted series inspired by the episode, showing how high the public interest ran.
The episode was a wake-up call across professional sports. If someone as careful and private as Ohtani could be victimized this way, it could happen to anyone. Teams now routinely recommend that players work with independent financial advisers and implement multiple layers of account oversight.
The Contract: The Dodgers’ Historic $700M Deal
Ohtani’s move in December 2023 to the Los Angeles Dodgers was historic: a 10-year, $700 million contract that dwarfed prior baseball records. The deal’s headline number grabbed headlines, but the structure — including large deferred payments — was part of why both sides could make it work under MLB’s financial rules and the players’ union framework.
He publicly said the Dodgers’ championship culture and chance to build a legacy were key reasons for choosing Los Angeles. That contract status has since shaped his public profile: bigger market, global endorsements, and enormous expectations on and off the field.
The deferred money structure was creative: Ohtani agreed to defer a massive portion of his salary, allowing the Dodgers more flexibility to build a championship roster around him. It was a player putting team success ahead of immediate personal wealth — a rarity in modern sports that only someone with Ohtani’s off-field earning power could realistically consider.
Did Shohei Ohtani Play for the Blue Jays? The Toronto Connection Explained
Short answer: No — Ohtani never played for the Toronto Blue Jays. During the hyper-public 2023 free-agent sweepstakes, Toronto was widely reported to have made a “very competitive” offer and actually met with Ohtani’s camp. There were viral flight-tracking moments and fan conspiracy theories across social media.
Sportsnet reporting and other outlets said the Blue Jays’ best offer was “in the same financial ballpark” as the Dodgers’ eventual agreement, but Ohtani ultimately signed with Los Angeles. So when people search, did Shohei Ohtani play for the Blue Jays, or did the Blue Jays offer? That’s the simple timeline: heavy interest and a strong offer, but no signing.
Toronto’s pursuit was real and aggressive. The Blue Jays pulled out all the stops, making their pitch for why Canada’s only MLB team would be the perfect fit. For a brief moment, the baseball world genuinely believed Ohtani might head north. But in the end, the allure of the Dodgers’ championship pedigree, the Los Angeles market, and perhaps the weather won out.
Hot Takes and Headlines — Yes, Rob Parker Weighed In
Every time Ohtani does something spectacular, talk radio and pundits explode. In October 2025, Fox Sports Radio host Rob Parker drew attention with an on-air take-downplaying one of Ohtani’s signature postseason performances. The Rob Parker Shohei Ohtani comments circulated widely and were covered by sports media — an example of how Ohtani’s feats also fuel polarization and loud opinions in the media ecosystem.
Whether you agree or not, it’s part of the modern athlete experience when the margin between hero and target is one viral clip away. Parker’s commentary sparked debate about whether Ohtani receives different treatment or scrutiny compared to other superstars, and whether his accomplishments are properly contextualized by mainstream American sports media.
The Human Angle
Shohei Ohtani’s story since arriving in MLB has been a mix of jaw-dropping athletic milestones and real-world drama. He’s 31, newly married and a father, sits at the center of the biggest contract conversations in sports, and was victimized in a high-profile theft tied to illegal gambling — a scandal that ultimately led to criminal convictions for the interpreter, not Ohtani.
The headlines and the hot takes will keep coming; what feels important to remember is the human core: elite performance, family privacy, and the vulnerability that comes with fame. Behind every record-breaking contract and every controversy is a person navigating extraordinary circumstances while trying to maintain some sense of normalcy for his growing family.
Read more: Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Wife, Age, Height, Contract & more
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Did Shohei Ohtani play for the Blue Jays?
A: No. He met with the Blue Jays during the 2023 free-agent period and Toronto reportedly made a competitive offer, but he did not sign with or play for Toronto — he signed with the Dodgers.
Q: Was there a Shohei Ohtani Blue Jays offer?
A: Yes — multiple reports (including Sportsnet) said Toronto made a “very competitive” offer during his free agency. Exact terms weren’t publicly confirmed, and Ohtani chose the Dodgers’ 10-year deal.
Q: What was the Shohei Ohtani gambling controversy?
A: The controversy involved Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, who stole roughly $16–17 million from Ohtani’s accounts to pay gambling debts. Mizuhara pleaded guilty to federal charges and was sentenced; Ohtani was identified as the victim and cleared of wrongdoing.
Q: Who is Rob Parker and what did he say about Shohei Ohtani?
A: Rob Parker is a sports radio/media personality who made on-air comments criticizing a high-profile Ohtani performance in October 2025 — those remarks were amplified online and covered by sports sites. It’s an example of the sharp commentary Ohtani attracts.
Q: How old is Shohei Ohtani?
A: Born July 5, 1994 — Ohtani is 31 years old as of October 27, 2025.
Q: Who is Shohei Ohtani’s wife and do they have children?
A: Ohtani married Mamiko Tanaka (a former Japanese pro basketball player) in February 2024; they welcomed a daughter in April 2025. The family has kept many personal details private.
