Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is headed to his fifth All-Star Game, and the reigning National League MVP stopped by the Pat McAfee Show on Monday to talk about it.

McAfee asked Ohtani who he grew up watching, and his answer should come as no surprise to anyone who started watching baseball in the early 2000s.

‘To be honest I grew up watching Ichiro [Suzuki] play in the All-Star Game, so that’s somebody who I wanted to meet,” he said.

Ohtani has talked about his admiration of Ichiro in the past.

“I have nothing but the utmost respect for him,” Ohtani said in 2018 before his Los Angeles Angels faced Ichiro's former team, the Seattle Mariners. “What he has done for this game, our country and the fans. I wish we could have played against him, but it wasn't meant to be. Wish nothing but the best for him moving forward.”

Though the Dodgers phenom looked up to Ichiro, the two are far different players. The former Mariner was a hitting machine, batting .311 for his career and leading the league in base hits seven times. Ohtani, meanwhile, is one of the best power hitters in the game, and in only eight years has more than twice the number of career home runs that Ichiro finished with.

Of course, Ohtani is also a pitcher with a career 2.97 ERA as he continues to build back up after not pitching since 2023.

When Ohtani had a chance to meet his idol in 2023, social media was abuzz as video surfaced of an excited Ohtani running across the field to greet him. It was watching Major League Baseball during Ichiro's prime that first made him want to play in the United States.

“I initially grew up watching professional baseball in Japan because I wanted to be an NPB player first,” Ohtani told McAfee. “But then as I started watching more Major League Baseball, my dream grew and I really wanted to play in the big leagues.”

More Los Angeles Dodgers News
National League pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts in the second inning against the American League during the 2025 MLB All Star Game at Truist Park.
Paul Skenes reveals ‘impressive’ reaction to Dodgers All-Star Clayton KershawAlex House ·
National League designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits during the second inning during the 2025 MLB All Star Game at Truist Park.
Why Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani didn’t participate in All-Star Home Run DerbyJosh Davis ·
1 Fatal flaw Los Angeles Dodgers must address before 2025 MLB trade deadline
1 Fatal flaw Los Angeles Dodgers must address before 2025 MLB trade deadlineMatty Breisch ·
National League pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) of the Los Angeles Dodgers leaves the game during the first inning during the 2025 MLB All Star Game at Truist Park.
Mic catches Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw’s jab at Cal Raleigh during MLB All-Star GameJosh Davis ·
National League pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the first inning during the 2025 MLB All Star Game at Truist Park.
Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw roasts John Smoltz while pitching in All-Star GameJosh Davis ·
Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) on base next to Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) during the ninth inning at Truist Park.
Freddie Freeman shuts down comparison with Matt Olson truth bombRussell Steinberg ·