Shohei Ohtani, superstar two-way player for the Los Angeles Angels, is being featured by ESPN in a new documentary about his journey to the major leagues. Highlighting his start in Japan, his yearning to master pitching and hitting, his success in Japan, and transition to Major League Baseball are all highlighted in the ESPN+ exclusive, which is produced in association with ESPN Films. The project will be released on Nov. 17 on the streaming platform, shortly after the conclusion of the World Series.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity to share my journey in this documentary,” Ohtani said in a statement. “Hearing the stories shared by my childhood heroes has been truly inspiring. I hope this documentary stands as a testament to the importance of resilience, passion and self-belief in the pursuit of excellence.”
The project features in-depth interviews with Ohtani, his coaches, teammates, and mentors who have served as an influence on him throughout his career. Described as an “introspective look” at Ohtani’s career, it marks the second consecutive long-form endeavor with the two-way superstar in the last two years. FOX Sports premiered Searching for Shohei: An Interview Special after Game 1 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) last year, which was produced in tandem with Religion of Sports.
Over the course of the documentary, Ohtani divulges on his decision to play for the Angels ahead of his free agency. He will also describe how he derived his “dream board,” how he felt winning the 2023 World Baseball Classic as a member of Team Japan and his process of overcoming injuries.
The ESPN Films endeavor hits the premium streaming platform after the World Series and its running time is unknown.
