Imagine a baseball icon who dazzles crowds with his incredible skills on the diamond, yet chooses to make an even bigger impact through quiet acts of kindness off the field – that's the inspiring reality of Shohei Ohtani, and it's about to warm your heart.
Shohei Ohtani / Dodgers Assistance in Teammate's Family Health Battle - Los Angeles Times
(Photo Credit: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
By Staff Writer
December 11, 2025 | 12:26 PM PT
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On the baseball field, when the Los Angeles Dodgers are competing, Shohei Ohtani steals the spotlight with his lightning-fast base stealing, powerful home runs, and masterful pitching performances. For those unfamiliar with baseball basics, think of him as a two-way player – someone who excels both as a hitter and a pitcher, a rare talent that makes him a game-changer. But away from the stadium lights, Ohtani's generosity shines just as brightly, often in ways that fly under the radar.
In a heartfelt recent chat with Japanese reporters – you can catch the full clip on Instagram – Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts shared a touching anecdote about how this two-time World Series winner stepped up big time for one of his teammates. Specifically, Ohtani made a substantial financial donation to help cover cancer treatment costs for the mother of relief pitcher Gus Varland. For beginners, a relief pitcher is like a specialized closer who jumps in during key moments to preserve a lead or turn the game around, much like a substitute teacher stepping in to save the class.
"Ohtani is full of amazing deeds," Roberts noted, "but so much of it happens behind the scenes, without fanfare, which is why it doesn't always make the news cycles." And here's where it gets truly admirable – Ohtani's low-key approach means his good works often stay private until someone like Roberts brings them to light.
To give some context on Varland, he stepped up for the Dodgers in seven relief outings during the 2024 season. That included a memorable debut in the league's opening series held in South Korea, facing off against the San Diego Padres – an exciting international twist that highlighted MLB's global reach. Over those six innings, Varland maintained a solid 4.50 earned run average (ERA), which measures how many runs a pitcher allows per nine innings; it's a key stat for gauging effectiveness. Unfortunately, he was later designated for assignment in July 2024, meaning the team had to make a tough roster decision to bring in fresh talent.
Roberts recounted a serendipitous meeting during the World Series matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays. He bumped into Varland's mother there because her other son, Louis Varland, was pitching for the opposing team – talk about family ties adding drama to the playoffs! She shared the great news that she was now cancer-free, a testament to the timely support that made all the difference.
But this act of kindness is just one chapter in Ohtani's remarkable journey. After spending his initial six years in the majors with the Los Angeles Angels, where he first wowed fans with his dual-threat abilities, Ohtani inked a groundbreaking 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers in late 2023. This contract, deferred in payments to help the team build a stronger roster, underscores his team-first mentality. Fast forward to November 2025, and he clinched his fourth Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in just five seasons – an MVP honors the player who most impacts their team's success. He's now in elite company, only behind Barry Bonds in winning it more than three times, though Bonds' legacy remains a hot topic due to past controversies around performance-enhancing drugs.
Ohtani's on-field heroics were pivotal in securing the Dodgers' back-to-back World Series championships in 2025. Batting .282 – meaning he got a hit in about 28% of his at-bats, a strong mark for power hitters – he smashed 55 home runs and posted a stellar 2.87 ERA on the mound. These stats not only propelled his team to victory but also cemented his status as a once-in-a-generation athlete.
And this is the part most people miss: while Ohtani's fame brings scrutiny, his private philanthropy raises questions about how celebrities balance public personas with genuine giving. Is it all heartfelt, or does the spotlight sometimes amplify these stories? It's a controversial angle in the world of sports stars and their off-field lives.
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Anthony Solorzano serves as a reporting fellow for the Los Angeles Times. Hailing from Pomona where he grew up, he now calls Riverside home. Recently, he put out a creative zine titled 'Worst Zine Ever!' that dissects his hometown using episodes from 'The Simpsons' as a fun analytical framework – a clever way to blend pop culture with personal reflection. He holds a master's in creative writing from Mount Saint Mary’s University and a bachelor's in theater from Cal Poly Pomona. In his downtime, Solorzano loves catching films and taking leisurely strolls with his wife and their dog.
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What do you think – does Ohtani's quiet generosity make him an even greater role model, or should more athletes shout their good deeds from the rooftops to inspire others? Share your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you've got a favorite under-the-radar athlete story that rivals this one!
