Ohtani returns after shining season

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels returned to Japan on Tuesday. He met reporters at Haneda Airport and looked back on his fifth year in the United States, during which he surpassed the required number of plate appearances and innings pitched to qualify as a league leader in both hitting and pitching.

“It was a great season for me personally, like last year,” he said.

As for the 2023 World Baseball Classic, an international team event in March next year, Ohtani said he had not made up his mind yet about whether to take part.

“I have a desire to represent my nation in such a tournament. Of course, I’m thinking about it in a positive way,” he said. (Oct. 20)

Ryoichiro Kida / The Yomiuri Shimbun Shohei Ohtani speaks to reporters at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on Tuesday evening.