Shohei Ohtani Is Learning English

Shohei Ohtani signed a massive 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ohtani, who is Japan’s version of Babe Ruth, also has been learning English.

Ohtani began to learn English when he was still in Japan. He understands various English words and phrases, which he uses with his teammates and coaches, even as he continues to learn the language and elevate his comfort level and command of it.

One of Ohtani’s favorite baseball-related phrases in English is: “Keep fight!” Ohtani first used that phrase in his 2018 rookie season with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, when a teammate fought off several pitches and extended his at-bat. Ohtani kept yelling “Keep fight!” from the Angels’ dugout, and the phrase became very popular with Ohtani and his Angels teammates. It’s highly likely that Ohtani now will exclaim “Keep fight!” to his new Dodgers teammates in Los Angeles.