How Shohei Ohtani’s Unexpected Gesture Became a Lifeline in a Dodgers Teammate’s Cancer Battle

Every time the Dodgers take the field, Shohei Ohtani is the name that leapt off every headline — his explosive baserunning, powerful slugging, and masterful pitching make him a whirlwind of activity on the diamond. But there’s more to Ohtani than the fanfare of the game; behind the scenes, he’s quietly making a profound impact. In a recent conversation with Japanese media, Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts shared a touching tale about how Ohtani stepped up to support relief pitcher Gus Varland’s mother, helping her afford cancer treatment with a “very, very big contribution.” Roberts pointed out that much of Ohtani’s generosity flies under the radar, shrouded in humility and discretion. This glimpse into Ohtani’s off-field character only deepens my admiration for the man—not just as an unparalleled athlete but as someone whose actions speak volumes beyond the stadium lights. LEARN MORE

When the Dodgers are on the field, Shohei Ohtani dominates the headlines with his baserunning, slugging and pitching. But off the field, his actions also resonate.

In a recent interview with Japanese media, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told a story of when the two-time World Series champion helped relief pitcher Gus Varland’s mother get cancer treatment by making a “very, very big contribution.”

“Shohei does a lot of great things, but a lot of what he does is on the down low, quiet, so people don’t talk about it,” Roberts said.

Varland made seven relief appearances with the Dodgers during the 2024 season — including pitching in the season-opening series in South Korea against the San Diego Padres — and posted a 3.00 earned-run average in six innings before he was designated for assignment in July of that year.

Roberts said he ran into Varland’s mother during this year’s World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays because his brother, Louis, pitched for them. Roberts said the mother told him she was cancer free.

After spending his first six major league seasons with the Angels, Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700-million contract with the Dodgers. In November he won his fourth MVP award in five seasons, becoming the only player besides Barry Bonds to win it more than three times.

Ohtani helped the Dodgers win their second consecutive World Series title after hitting 55 homers with a batting average of .282 and an ERA of 2.87.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.