In Los Angeles, the Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani made headlines on Thursday. They shared pictures on social media that captured a special moment. For the first time, fans got a glimpse of the two-way Japanese superstar alongside his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, a Japanese basketball player. The photos were taken on an airport tarmac, marking a significant public debut for the newlyweds.
The Dodgers’ official account on X, previously known as Twitter, captioned one of the photos with “Wheels up to Seoul.” This post came as the team is gearing up for their season opener on March 20. They will face the Padres in South Korea, kicking off an exciting start to the season.
The images reveal the couple’s joy, standing near the team’s plane with beaming smiles. Another picture, shared by Ohtani on his Instagram, places them at the heart of a group photo on the tarmac. They are surrounded by teammates, including Dodger pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, sharing this memorable moment together.
It was revealed that Tanaka accompanied her husband to Arizona for spring training. This time together was significant as Ohtani prepared for the upcoming season.
Ohtani’s marriage announcement last month took the Dodgers and fans worldwide by surprise. Speaking through an interpreter, Ohtani shared, “She is a Japanese woman. I don’t really feel comfortable discussing the specifics of when we got married, but she’s a normal Japanese woman.”
During a brief interview on February 29, Ohtani opened up a little about their relationship. He mentioned knowing his bride for three to four years, offering a rare glimpse into his private life.
At 29, Ohtani is one of Japan’s most celebrated figures. His personal life has always been a subject of intrigue, which he has kept away from the public eye. Ohtani felt the timing of the announcement was right, wanting to avoid any distractions during the season. He expressed a desire to have shared the news sooner but mentioned paperwork delays.
This report includes contributions from The Associated Press.