Join our Waitlist for Expert Advice!

Shohei Ohtani Is the First MLB Player to Hit 4 Million Followers on Instagram The Angels' sensation reportedly gained around 2 million followers during the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

By Erin Davis Edited by Melissa Malamut

Photo by Gene Wang/Getty Images
World Baseball Classic Championship: United States v Japan MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan pitches in the top of the 9th inning during World Baseball Classic Championship between United States and Japan at loanDepot park in Miam

Major League Baseball (MLB) superstar Shohei Ohtani struck out his Angels teammate Mike Trout in the bottom of the 9th inning Tuesday night to give Japan the 2023 World Baseball Classic win over Team USA.

The pitching (and hitting) sensation also won the tournament's MVP award, but it isn't the only title Ohtani won throughout the two-week tournament.

Ohtani, 28, reportedly gained two million Instagram followers in just 14 days, earning him the crown for the most followers on the platform of all MLB players. Coincidentally, the No. 2 MLB player on the platform is Trout — with about half as many followers.

According to The Sports Daily, Ohtani came into the World Baseball Classic with around 1.7 million followers on Instagram. Before Japan took on Team USA for the final game, that number was up to 4.1 million followers, an increase of 141%. (He's now up to 4.5 million.)

Ohtani joined the Angels in 2018 and won the American League Rookie of the Year in his first MLB season. USA Today notes that the star has never played in the MLB postseason since joining the league. In Japan, he played for the Nippon-Ham Fighters from 2013 to 2017, where he was a five-time All-Star and Japan Series Champion in 2016.

The 2023 World Baseball Classic broke both attendance and ratings records, according to Front Office Sports. The first round alone saw 1.01 million fans in attendance — that's a 98% increase from 2017, the outlet reports.

Erin Davis

Entrepreneur Staff

Freelance Writer

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

You Have One Month Left to Buy a House, According to Barbara Corcoran. Here's Why.

"If you are planning on waiting a year and seeing where interest rates go, you are out of your mind," Corcoran said.

Business News

These 3 Side Hustles Make the Most Money While Working Fewer Hours, According to a New Survey

The survey also found that having a side hustle doubled as a path to becoming more employable.

Franchise

The McRib Is Back, But Only at Select McDonald's — Here's Where to Find It

This scarcity is nothing new. In 2022, McDonald's announced a "Farewell Tour" for the McRib, suggesting that it might be the last time customers could get their hands on it.

Business News

This New Restaurant Is Banking on One Dish — Because It's the Only Entrée on the Menu

The new hotspot is gaining buzz on social media for its innovative yet super simple concept.

Side Hustle

I Made $14,000 in 1 Week With a Spontaneous Halloween Costume Side Hustle — Here's How

Sabba Keynejad was in art school when he started to refine his entrepreneurial skills.

Business News

This Is the Goal-Setting Method Shohei Ohtani Learned in High School That Helped Get Him to the World Series

The MLB superstar's success did not come as a surprise to him. He had a plan.