Shohei Ohtani Welcomes Daughter, Dodgers Anticipate 'Dad Strength' Boost

Shohei Ohtani and his wife Mamiko recently welcomed their first child, a daughter, prompting widespread speculation about the potential for 'dad strength'—the belief that new fathers often experience a boost in performance on the field. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and several teammates, including Mookie Betts and Teoscar Hernandez, offered advice and expressed optimism that fatherhood could help Ohtani further develop as both a player and a person. Roberts specifically joked that Ohtani might start hitting balls even harder, referencing the tradition of players performing well after returning from paternity leave. While Ohtani did not homer in his first game back, there is anticipation that he may soon exhibit this 'dad strength.' The Dodgers, who have several players with recent fatherhood experiences, see Ohtani's quick return as a testament to his ability to balance family and professional commitments. Overall, the team and fans are eager to see how this new chapter in Ohtani's life might influence his already impressive career.