"We will fight head-on with all our might" - Shohei Ohtani's brother Ryuta becomes manager of Toyota Motor East Japan

Shohei Ohtani's older brother Ryuta (36), a notable Japanese baseball player in his own right, is making the transition to full-time coaching. After announcing the move, the incoming manager gave an inspiring speech to his new team.

Via Yahoo! Sports Japan, he said:

"Our team's mission is to 'improve company unity' and 'revitalize Tohoku through baseball', and we aim to be a strong team that can always participate in the two major tournaments, the Intercity Championships and the Japan Championships."

Ohtani played baseball for Mizusawa Komagata Hardball Baseball Club from 2006 to 2009. After that, he played in the Shikoku League for two years and served as a player/coach for Toyota Motor East Japan between 2012 and 2021. He has focused entirely on coaching since then and is now Toyota Motor East's manager.

"We will continue to build a team that is rooted in Tohoku and loved by the community. To that end, we will be determined to win and fight head-on with all our might. Finally, I would like to thank everyone involved with the company and the baseball team, and I will work hard every day to share happiness and excitement with everyone."

Perhaps best known as the NL MVP's brother, Ohtani is the 11th manager in the history of Toyota Motor East Japan.

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Shohei Ohtani and wife receive gift at Lakers game

Shohei Ohtani has been out at other LA sporting events since signing with the Dodgers in free agency last year. After that, he went to a Los Angeles Rams game. This offseason, he and his wife Mamiko Tanaka were at a Los Angeles Lakers game.

Shohei Ohtani and his wife at the Lakers game (Imagn)

The pair were true celebrity guests at the NBA contest, as they got special custom jerseys and a shoutout on the official LA Lakers X account. Tanaka is a Japanese basketball player herself.

The Lakers prevailed against the Portland Trail Blazers with Ohtani in attendance.