Shohei Ohtani to Become a US Citizen
Shohei Ohtani to Become a US Citizen
Shohei Ohtani is believed by many to be the best designated hitter and pitcher in baseball right now.
The 29-year-old Japanese professional baseball star is one of the most exciting players on any field and arguably one of the greatest two-way talents in baseball history.
Born into a passionate baseball family in Ōshū, Iwate, Japan, Ohtani has made Major League Baseball history many times throughout his professional career, with some fans comparing him to Babe Ruth.
As he has just signed an eye-watering $700 million ten-year free agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the biggest contract in pro sports history, many people are wondering if Shohei Ohtani will finally become a US citizen.
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Will Shohei Ohtani Receive American Citizenship?
At present, Shohei Ohtani isn’t a US citizen. Most foreign-born MLB players often apply for a P-1 visa to play professionally in the United States.
A P-1 visa entitles a sports star to remain in the US throughout the duration of their professional contract; however, they must return home once it is complete.
Many baseball fans would likely be happy for the two-time American League MVP award winner to receive American citizenship, as he has made history many times on the field.
For instance, in the 2021 season, Ohtani became the first play in MLB history to achieve 20+ stolen bases and 10+ home runs as a hitter, as well as 100+ strikeouts and 10+ pitching appearances as a pitcher.
As Ohtani has recently signed a $700 million ten-year contract, he might want to pursue US citizenship before his contract expires.
With much money in the bank and a deal structured that he’ll receive $68 million per season, which will be paid in 2034 and 2043, the United States might be happy for the world-famous baseball star to become a citizen.
Does Shohei Ohtani Live in the US?
Shohei Ohtani currently lives in the United States to pursue his MLB career. According to reports, the two-way star loves LA, and it’s rumored he has lived in Orange County since he entered the MLB in 2018.
However, he is deeply connected to Japan. For instance, he prefers to speak in his native Japanese and often uses an interpreter when talking to the media. However, he can speak some English and Spanish.
He recently married his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, a former professional basketball player from Japan, but she lives with him in the United States.