Shohei Ohtani rarely reveals much about his personal life.
No flashy oversharing. No unnecessary headlines. Just baseball.
But sometimes, the smallest details feel surprisingly revealing.
During a recent appearance on Access Hollywood, Ohtani casually shared something that instantly caught fans’ attention: he has two different In-N-Out orders — depending on the time of year.
Offseason? Protein style.
During the season? Animal style.
It sounds simple. It sounds harmless. It’s just a burger.
But with Ohtani, even a burger becomes a window.
Protein style — wrapped in lettuce, no bun — suggests control. Leaner. Lighter. Strategic. It aligns with the offseason version of Ohtani: recalibrating, training, managing body composition when daily game intensity is absent.
Then comes the season.
Animal style — richer, heavier, indulgent in all the right ways. Extra flavor. Extra sauce. Extra energy.
It mirrors the shift from preparation to performance.
Ohtani isn’t just adjusting calories.
He’s adjusting mentality.
That subtle routine reinforces something fans often forget: dominance at the highest level isn’t accidental. It’s structured. It’s intentional. Even fast food has a place in the system — but only when it fits the phase.
And of course, the setting matters.
Ohtani has spent his MLB career in Southern California, where In-N-Out isn’t just a restaurant — it’s culture. The Irvine-based chain has built near-mythical status. Expanding slowly into Texas and Tennessee, with New Mexico on the horizon by 2027, it still remains deeply tied to California identity.
So when Ohtani speaks about it, it feels personal.
There’s another layer here, too.
Ohtani’s awareness of off-menu nuances — protein style, animal style — subtly highlights how comfortable he is navigating American culture while maintaining his own discipline. It’s not random indulgence. It’s informed choice.
And informed choices define elite athletes.
In recent years, In-N-Out itself has made changes reflecting evolving consumer awareness — removing synthetic dyes, eliminating high-fructose corn syrup, improving oil quality, even adjusting ketchup ingredients. The brand adapts quietly, much like Ohtani adapts his routine.
Still, fans hoping for a poetic crossover at Dodger Stadium will be disappointed.
Despite Ohtani’s well-documented affection for the chain, In-N-Out does not pursue in-stadium partnerships. Quality control, they believe, would be difficult in that environment. Instead, Shake Shack and Habit Burger & Grill hold the stadium spotlight.
Which almost makes Ohtani’s preference more charming.
It’s not marketing.
It’s not sponsorship.
It’s just habit.
And in an era where athletes are meticulously branded, that authenticity resonates.
There’s something oddly symbolic about the split-season order.
Offseason Ohtani: controlled, strategic, quiet refinement.
In-season Ohtani: unleashed, explosive, fully engaged.
The burger becomes metaphor.
Fans often obsess over advanced metrics, launch angles, spin rates, velocity charts. But sometimes, excellence hides in routine discipline — in small seasonal adjustments that keep performance sustainable.
Does switching from lettuce wrap to animal style create MVP seasons?
Of course not.
But it reflects the kind of mind that thinks in phases.
Preparation versus execution.
Restraint versus output.
Even in something as ordinary as a drive-thru order, Ohtani demonstrates awareness of balance — and balance may be the most underrated trait in a two-way superstar.
So while headlines may frame this as a quirky food confession, the deeper takeaway feels more interesting.
The man who meticulously calibrates his mechanics also calibrates his meals.
The superstar who dominates the mound and the batter’s box also understands when to lean lighter — and when to lean in.
And perhaps that’s why even a burger choice becomes part of the Ohtani mythology.
Because with him, nothing feels accidental.
Not even lunch.
Leave a Reply