Japanese two-way standout Shohei Ohtani said on return to his homeland on Monday that despite challenges in the second half of the season, he was grateful for an exceptional year in which he showed off his skills after a spate of injuries.
"Shotime," as the 27-year-old is known it the United States, mesmerised the fans in the batter's box, on the mound and on the basepaths, breaking Hideki Matsui's record for home runs in a season by a Japanese player, ending the year with 46.
"Especially towards the end of this season, our team wasn't winning, and it wasn't clear what the postseason would bring, so there were many mentally tough moments," said Ohtani when asked about how he overcame challenges."Until now there were also times when I couldn't play due to injury, so it's because I'm able to play that I get to experience these things. Personally, I feel that - including the times when I felt mentally down - this was a good year.
At the news conference in Tokyo after his return from the U.S. and home quarantine, Ohtani answered in calm, brief sentences. That stood in contrast to emotional sports reporters, some of whom called on others to applaud the Japanese star.
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