#Shortstops: It’s Gotta Be the Shoes

When Shohei Ohtani went into the 2021 All-Star week as a Home Run Derby participant, starting pitcher and leadoff hitter, he was just “looking forward to taking it all in and (enjoying) everything.”

The same could not be said for the 49,184 fans in attendance at Coors Field on July 13, 2021. They, along with All-Stars themselves, could not contain their excitement for the two-way player’s All-Star debut.

Ohtani’s first All-Star appearance made history in more than one way: As the first Japanese-born player in the Home Run Derby, he set a Statcast-era record by hitting six home runs of at least 500 feet. He also became the first player to start a game pitching, bat leadoff and earn the win in the same game in American or National League history.

The cleats he wore to achieve this feat are preserved, thanks to Ohtani’s generous donation, at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. They are currently on view in the Los Angeles Angels display case in the Your Team Today exhibit.

Looking back, the gold trim on the white Asics cleats symbolizes his stardom in Major League Baseball – there has never been another modern-day international icon like Shohei Ohtani. He finished the 2021 season with a .257 batting average, 46 homers, 100 RBI, a 3.18 ERA and the American League’s Most Valuable Player Award.

And it has only spiraled upward from there.

 

Since his 2021 All-Star Game appearance, he has led his team to two World Series championships, secured three more MVP awards, broke records with MLB’s first ever 50-home run/50-steal season and wrote a New York Times bestselling children’s book.

Outside of his baseball talent, he is known for his standard “ultra-professional” demeanor, highlighted by his polite character with umpires and opposing teams. His presence brings more representation to the major leagues – a refreshing new character that encourages viewers to expand their cultural understanding.

Ohtani has also expanded MLB’s fanbase. It was estimated that the Dodgers made back Ohtani’s $700 million contract in his first season alone. These profits, due to the new market of Japanese tourists and brand deals, shows Ohtani’s immeasurable impact on Major League Baseball’s road to global significance.

Danica Lee is a 2026 Public Programming intern in the Frank and Peggy Steele Internship Program for Leadership Development