“There are times when you can’t do what you want, even if it’s the most important thing to you…” – Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani silenced the baseball world when he shared for the first time about his father’s life-or-death battle with cancer. But what broke fans’ hearts even more was Ohtani’s admission that he couldn’t return to Japan to be with his father due to his demanding schedule and team responsibilities.

The information was revealed in a short post-game interview, but it spread like wildfire. No longer the two-dimensional superstar dominating MLB, Ohtani was now just a son – torn between duty and family.

According to Ohtani, his father – the most influential figure in his career – is currently undergoing cancer treatment in Japan. While not revealing details of his condition, Ohtani acknowledged this is the most difficult time for his family.

“My father has always been there, silently supporting all my decisions. Now, when he needs me most… I can’t be there,” Ohtani said, his voice dropping.

These words quickly touched the hearts of fans, because they understood that behind the home runs and mounds was a man carrying a deep burden of worry.

Since joining the Los Angeles Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani has been the center of attention. His demanding schedule, media pressure, and iconic role have left him with virtually no real rest.

Leaving the team during this crucial period would not only affect Ohtani personally but also directly impact the Dodgers – a team fiercely competing this season.

An internal source indicated that the coaching staff fully understands Ohtani’s situation, but the final decision rests with him.

Immediately after the story broke, social media erupted with a wave of support for Ohtani. Numerous hashtags calling for the Dodgers to allow him to return to Japan appeared, with the clear message: “Family comes first.”

One fan wrote: “We love what he does on the court, but we respect him as a person even more. Let him go back to his father.”

Many former MLB players have also spoken out, sharing that they have faced similar situations and understand the feeling of helplessness when unable to be with family during crucial moments.

Ohtani’s father was not only a relative but also his first mentor in his baseball journey. He was the one who guided, shaped, and inspired Ohtani from the beginning.

“He never asked me to be someone. He just wanted me to try my best,” Ohtani shared in a previous interview.

Now, as that man battles illness, Ohtani must continue to play – carrying both the team’s expectations and the worry he cannot fully share.

To date, the Dodgers have not made an official announcement regarding whether Ohtani will be allowed to temporarily leave the team. However, many sources indicate the team is considering flexible options.

In MLB, players can be placed on a “family emergency list”—a list that allows them to temporarily leave the team to deal with family issues. But for a star of Ohtani’s caliber, this decision was far from simple.

Shohei Ohtani’s story is a powerful reminder that, even at the height of their fame, athletes are still human beings with real emotions, families, and pain.

In this moment, fans no longer see just an MVP, a global phenomenon, but a son facing a choice between the two most important things in his life.

And perhaps, whatever the final decision, what everyone hopes for is:

Ohtani will have no regrets.