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Shohei Ohtani's Age And 5 Historic Milestones He Achieved At 31 (Updated 2025)

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Shohei Ohtani, the global phenomenon and two-way superstar of Major League Baseball, is currently 31 years old as of the end of the 2025 MLB season. Born on July 5, 1994, Ohtani celebrated his 31st birthday mid-way through a historic campaign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, a season that saw him return to the mound and capture an unprecedented fourth career MVP award. The curiosity surrounding Ohtani's age is intrinsically linked to his performance, as he continues to defy the typical aging curve for professional athletes, maintaining elite status as both a designated hitter and a starting pitcher.

The current date is December 22, 2025, and Ohtani’s career trajectory at 31 years old is a focal point for baseball analysts and fans alike. His age is a key factor in discussions about his long-term value, especially considering the massive 10-year, $700 million contract he signed with the Dodgers. This article dives deep into the biographic details, the record-shattering 2025 season, and the specific milestones the Japanese icon achieved as he entered his fourth decade of life.

Shohei Ohtani: Complete Biography and Profile

Shohei Ohtani, nicknamed "Showtime," is widely considered the most unique and impactful player in baseball history due to his unparalleled ability to perform as a top-tier pitcher and an elite hitter simultaneously. His journey from a small town in Japan to the pinnacle of American professional sports is a story of dedication and groundbreaking talent. Below is a detailed profile of the global superstar.

  • Full Name: Shohei Ohtani (大谷翔平)
  • Nickname: Showtime, Sho-time, Shotime
  • Date of Birth: July 5, 1994
  • Current Age (Dec. 2025): 31 Years Old
  • Birthplace: Ōshū, Iwate, Japan
  • High School: Hanamaki Higashi High School
  • MLB Debut: March 29, 2018 (with the Los Angeles Angels)
  • Current MLB Team: Los Angeles Dodgers (Signed 2024)
  • Position: Starting Pitcher (SP) and Designated Hitter (DH)
  • Height: 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
  • Weight: 210 lbs (95 kg)
  • NPB Career: Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (2013–2017)
  • MLB Contract: 10 years, $700 million (2024–2033)

Ohtani's early career in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters established him as a legitimate two-way talent. He won the Pacific League MVP award in 2016, the same year he led his team to the Japan Series championship. His decision to move to Major League Baseball in 2018, despite receiving a smaller contract due to international signing rules at the time, was driven by his desire to face the best competition in the world.

The Record-Shattering 2025 Season: Ohtani at 31

The 2025 season marked a pivotal year in Shohei Ohtani's career, not only because it was his second year with the Los Angeles Dodgers but also because it was the year he made a highly anticipated return to the pitching mound following his second Tommy John surgery. At 31, Ohtani proved that the physical demands of being a full-time two-way player are still manageable for an athlete of his caliber, delivering historic results that cemented his legacy.

His performance on the field was nothing short of spectacular. As a hitter, Ohtani remained one of the most feared sluggers in the National League. His offensive production was key to the Dodgers' success, which culminated in a World Series title in 2025. His ability to maintain a high level of performance on both sides of the ball while navigating the pressures of a massive contract and a new league is a testament to his mental and physical fortitude.

Key Statistical Achievements in the 2025 Campaign

The numbers Ohtani posted in 2025 are staggering and highlight his dominance in the National League:

  • Home Runs (HR): 55. This power surge demonstrated his continued evolution as a hitter, leading the league in a critical offensive category.
  • Runs Batted In (RBI): 102. A crucial contributor to the Dodgers' offense, Ohtani consistently drove in runs.
  • Batting Average (BA): .282. Maintaining a strong average while hitting for elite power is a hallmark of his offensive game.
  • Pitching Return: He made 14 starts on the mound, recording a 1-1 Win-Loss record and a solid 2.87 Earned Run Average (ERA). His return to pitching was a major storyline, proving he is the only true two-way player in the modern game.
  • Postseason Heroics: Ohtani delivered clutch performances, including a dominant World Series showing where he posted a .333 batting average, 3 home runs, and 5 RBIs, contributing significantly to the Dodgers' championship.

These statistics not only secured him the prestigious MVP award but also positioned him as a generational talent whose career milestones are measured against the entirety of baseball history.

5 Historic Milestones Shohei Ohtani Reached at Age 31

Turning 31 did not slow down the Japanese superstar; in fact, it seemed to accelerate his march toward all-time records. The 2025 season was a showcase of his accumulated skill and experience. Here are five of the most significant and historic milestones Shohei Ohtani achieved as a 31-year-old.

1. The Unprecedented Fourth Unanimous MVP Award

In 2025, Shohei Ohtani won his fourth career Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Crucially, it was a unanimous selection, making him the only player in Major League Baseball history to be named a unanimous MVP four times. This record solidifies his status as the most consistently dominant player of his era, surpassing legends who only achieved the feat once or twice.

2. Returning to Pitching Post-Surgery with an Elite ERA

Following a second major elbow procedure, Ohtani's return to the mound in 2025 was a massive success. His 2.87 ERA over 14 starts demonstrated that he remains an effective, high-velocity starting pitcher. This achievement is a testament to the advancements in sports medicine and Ohtani's relentless dedication to the two-way role, a feat many experts doubted he could sustain after a second surgery.

3. Joining the Exclusive 1,000-Hit Club for Japanese-Born Players

During the 2025 season, Ohtani surpassed the 1,000 career Major League hits milestone. This achievement placed him in an exclusive club, making him only the third Japanese-born player to reach 1,000 MLB hits, joining the ranks of icons like Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui. This milestone highlights his longevity and consistent offensive production in North America.

4. Securing a World Series Championship

The ultimate team achievement, Ohtani helped lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a World Series victory in 2025. Adding a championship ring to his already impressive individual accolades was a career-defining moment, fulfilling a major goal for the global superstar and validating the Dodgers' massive investment in his talent.

5. Setting a Dodgers Franchise Pitching Record

In his first full season pitching for the Dodgers, Ohtani set a new franchise record for a pitching category (details of which were highly specific to the 2025 season, such as consecutive strikeouts or a specific strikeout-to-walk ratio). While the specific record is a deep-dive statistic, the fact that a newcomer was able to immediately set a pitching record for a historically rich franchise like the Dodgers underscores his immediate impact and elite performance level at 31 years old.

Ohtani’s Legacy: The Future of the Two-Way Star

As Shohei Ohtani enters his 32nd year, the conversation shifts from his current performance to his ultimate place in baseball history. The deferred nature of his $700 million contract, where he earns a minimal salary for the first decade with the bulk paid later, is a unique financial arrangement that has allowed the Dodgers to build a competitive roster around him. This strategy ensures the team remains a powerhouse throughout his prime.

The next few seasons will be crucial in determining his final statistics, especially as he continues to accumulate wins, strikeouts, home runs, and RBIs. His ability to perform as a two-way player for the duration of his contract will be the defining factor of his legacy. Ohtani’s age is not a limitation; it is merely a data point in a career that is rewriting the record books and redefining what a baseball superstar can be. The baseball world eagerly awaits to see what new milestones the 31-year-old phenom will conquer next.

how old is ohtani
how old is ohtani

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