Japanese baseball star, Shohei Ohtani, is transitioning to a full-time role as a hitter on his team, sparking surprise and excitement from the team's American captain. On confirming the news, his reaction was one of disbelief, saying "Is it real?". Ohtani's shift has implications for both him and his team, as his performance has consistently shown excellence in both pitching and batting, an unusual combination in Major League Baseball.

In Japan, Shohei Ohtani is considered a national hero due to his impressive skill set that includes both pitching and batting. His decision to become a full-time hitter sparks curiosity and fascination among Japanese fans, particularly as it breaks the tradition where players typically specialize in one role. Japanese baseball fans value players with versatileness, hence the news is being received with a lot of intrigue in Japan.

In the U.S., baseball players usually specialize in one area, either pitching or batting, compared to Japan where it's more common to have dual talents. The transition of Ohtani to a full-time batter breaks the norm in American baseball, creating buzz among fans and players alike.