This is the full text of what Angels Shohei Ohtani said at a telephone conference of the Baseball Writers' Association of America after receiving the MVP award.
He talked about his impressions of winning the award, his thoughts on looking back on this season, and his aspirations for next season.
Q. It was a usage that the restrictions were lifted this season, but how much fun did you have?
A. It was difficult, but it's still rewarding, and I think it's used by trust, so I was trying hard every day to meet that expectation, so I think I was able to do it every day with great satisfaction. I think.
Q. Will you work off in the same way as last year?
A. That's right.
Well, I had some time, so I took a good rest, and now that I'm starting to move, I'll do my best to win again next year toward the camp.
Q. In an interview with a magazine, you said that this is your last chance to challenge the dual wield, but do you think you were able to play an active part so far because of the pressure?
A. How is it?
I haven't had an atmosphere that seems to be 100% welcomed so far (dual wield) since I became a professional.
There was always such a critical thing, but I wanted to do my best here.
To be honest, I wasn't rebellious, and I think it was good that I was able to really do my best to find out how well I could be.
Q. Regarding the fact that you were able to win the award with a full vote.
A. It's the first time I've received this, so it's special, and I'm really happy that everyone was in the first place, and I think it made me want to do my best from next year onwards.
Q. About receiving a congratulatory message from a player like Trout.
A. There are things that I'm learning by doing together, and there are things that I'm really forced to study about batting.
Since I've seen that, I think there are some areas where I've been able to deal with various things, and I'm really glad that we're together, so I think if we can work hard together next year, we'll be a stronger team.
“I started to yearn for majors after seeing Ichiro and his friends”
Q. What is your message to the children who are seeing the award in Japan?
A. I saw Ichiro when he took the MVP, and when I saw those people, I started to yearn for the major leagues, so I want to do my best to make (children) think so. ..
I'm looking forward to seeing such players again, and I'm also looking forward to the future where we can work together.
Q. What kind of celebration will you have after this?
A. Isn't there anything in particular?
I think you'll spend it normally.
My mother is coming, rather than my family.
Especially at night.
I also have tomorrow (training) so I think I will go to bed early.
Q. Did you talk about contract extension?
A. I can't really talk about that.
However, I also like Angels and want to do it for a long time.
First of all, I just want to spend my time thinking about winning next year.
Q. You said that it was not a long-awaited feeling to receive various awards at the press conference the other day, but what about receiving the MVP?
A. Well, there is no particular change in what we do, and personally I just wanted to switch and win next year.
However, I was looking forward to it, and I'm really happy to be able to take it, so I think it will lead to next year, or maybe it will be a motivation.
Q. Did you achieve the goal of "becoming the best player"?
Q. Awarded for the dual wield.
What is the significance of the future baseball life at the age of 27?
A. I'm really happy that I got a full vote, and I had a lot of injuries.
It wasn't going well, but I was able to get it at the age of 27 with the help of various people, so I think it's time for 5 to 7 years to reach its peak as a player. I think, so I want to do my best every day so that I can do my best.
Q. I always say "I want to be the best player", but do you think you have achieved your goal by winning the MVP?
A. It's not.
I don't think the day will come when I think so.
What do you say, the goal is about, or that kind of goal, but I think that I can always do my best because there is no goal.
I'm sure I've stepped up, and I think this award is one of them, so it's one of my motivations for the future.
Q. Since I was 18 years old, I was told by people around me that dual wield was impossible, but I was able to overcome the hardships and take the MVP.
A. First of all, it was the best that I was able to do it for a year without any injuries, and I think that there will be more situations that will be accepted by producing results there.
That will not change, and no one knows how long this performance will last, so I think that years of such challenges will continue year after year.
“I don't have much time to develop my abilities”
Q. Mr. Ichiro said, "I can only do it while I can. I want you to build an era where you can only draw with Shohei while doing it." How do you perceive the meaning of "impossible"?
Also for next season.
A. I don't think that "impossible" does not mean that you should do it until you get injured.
The time when you can do it at the peak, or the time when you can maintain good performance as a player, is not so long, so it is really a time constraint, or the time limit is approaching every year.
There isn't much time to develop my abilities, so I'm trying my best to understand that it means that I want to do it while cherishing such time.
Q. How did you feel when you received the award?
Harper, who won the National League, was crying.
A. Well, it was more amazing than crying.
I was a little surprised because the votes were full.
That kind of feeling is stronger.
I think it's the second time for Harper, so I think there is a difference in my feelings in that sense, and I'm a great batter, so I'm watching myself, and I'm very happy if I have a chance to play against him someday. increase.
Q. When Director Maddon said he would remove the restrictions on participation, he said he smiled. What does that smile mean?
How did you accept the proposal?
A. Of course, there are positive parts as well as positive parts, and of course I felt that I wanted to work harder than ever before.
If anything, there was also the nuance that it would be necessary to think in the future if it did not take shape to some extent.
It feels like it's already fifty-fifty.