"Shohei Ohtani is human"; "No-Sho’d the rest of the series" - Fans divided as Dodgers star's dad fears unfair expectations after NLCS Game 4 heroics

Shohei Ohtani's father, Toru Ohtani, has expressed his concerns about the weight of expectations on his son following his two-way brilliance during the postseason. During Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, Ohtani hit 3 home runs while striking out ten batters on the mound.

In a letter addressed to his son, in Japan's Sports Nippon publication's Monday edition, Toru Ohtani stated that his two-way performance will only make fans want more.

"In Game 4 of the NLCS against the Brewers on October 17, you hit three home runs and struck out ten batters as a pitcher, earning the series MVP," the translated version of Toru Ohtani's letter read. "Like you said after the game-it really did feel too perfect. Once you pull off something like that, everyone starts expecting you to do it again, and as your parent, that makes me both proud and a little worried. I can't help but feel it's a bit tough on you, too."

Fans had differing opinions on X. One side claimed that Shohei Ohtani wasn't able to follow up on the Game 4 NLCS performance, which made him like any other baseball player.

"Nah. We saw how he No-Sho’d the rest of the series," a fan wrote. "Hahaha get bent. $70 mil a year comes with expectations. He has sucked in both World Series," a fan claimed. "He should have been an OF all along. TWO Tommy John surgeries. He's missed 190 games of offensive production. He has pitched more than 52 innings 3 times in 8 years. It's a failed experiment," a fan added.

While another side was moved by Ohtani's father's compassion, who, through his message, is trying to show his care for his son.

"Legit worried we'll forget he's human and not a video game cheat code," a fan said. "A father is never fearful for himself but fearful for his son," a fan noted. "Back to Back World Series Champion….MLB MVP. Ohtani is legendary no matter what the future brings," a fan stated.

Toru Ohtani coached Shohei for many of his formative years. He was the head coach of the elementary and junior high school teams of the three-time MLB MVP. He was an amateur baseball player in an industrial league in Japan, and played for a team sponsored by the Japanese publication Mainichi.

Toru Ohtani warns Shohei of not being able to keep up his two-way prowess forever

Toru Ohtani also made his feelings clear about the workload toll that his son would feel as he ages. He suggested making a switch to outfielder when he becomes tired of continuing his two-way abilities.

“Shohei, you’re 31 years old,” Toru Ohtani wrote in Japanese. “I think that as a baseball player, you’re in your prime, but there will come a time when you have to decide between pitching and hitting. When you can’t pitch anymore, you can be an outfielder. I think that if you practice, you can definitely do it.”

The 31-year-old's body will be put to the test in 2026 when he joins the Dodgers' starting rotation for his first full two-way season since 2023. Los Angeles would expect Ohtani to continue with similar dominance on the mound and at the plate.

Edited by R. Nikhil Parshy