Shohei Ohtani’s laser focus on the game didn’t just impress his teammates — it also earned him a ribbing from former World Baseball Classic teammate Kensuke Kondo, who called him “a boring person” off the field. But in true teammate style, it was more playful than critical, a testament to how seriously Ohtani takes his craft.
Kondo recounted how, even as a kid, Ohtani devoted himself entirely to baseball.
“He’s so baseball-centered and devoted to baseball,” Kondo said. “I wonder if he’s having fun sometimes. … He’s a boring person, though.” His words might sound harsh, but they came with a laugh — not disdain.
The comment highlights a well-known trait of Ohtani’s personality: an almost monastic dedication to his sport. That kind of single-minded ambition has fueled his rise as one of the most dominant two-way players in Major League Baseball, but it also means he’s not the type to go out partying or chase big social scenes.
Still, teammates describe a more nuanced side of him. Despite Kondo’s jab, other Dodgers players counter the “boring” label with stories of a lighthearted locker room presence. One teammate said Ohtani “loves to joke around” and pull little pranks, while another described him as having a “childlike joy” for the game, even in the midst of elite performance.
It’s the rare balance of humility and intensity: off the field, perhaps quiet and focused; on it, electric and game-changing. For Kondo, the comment was delivered in admiration — a way to underline just how driven Ohtani is to perfect his craft.
In a sport where superstardom often comes with huge egos, Ohtani remains grounded in his work. And as Kondo’s comment shows, that groundedness — even if it seems “boring” — is exactly what’s made him a legend.
