As the United States reels from one of the most devastating wildfire seasons in a decade, with tens of thousands of families left homeless, a quiet but shocking act has taken place.
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani has pledged $3 million to support wildfire victims and rebuild communities in California, Oregon, and New Mexico.
“When I was a kid, I saw a fire in Hokkaido. But what’s happening in America right now… I can’t stand by,” Ohtani said through tears.
DISASTER: WILDFIRES RAGING ACROSS THE WEST
Madre Fire (CA): Burns 85,000 acres, destroys more than 1,300 homes, at least 9 dead, estimated damage: $1.8 billion
Klamath Fire (OR): Sparked by dry lightning, doubles in size in just 36 hours, burns nearly 100,000 acres of primary forest
Smoke spreads to 5 states, causing AQI to exceed 300 – “dangerous for everyone”
More than 70,000 evacuated, thousands unable to return home
$3 MILLION DONATION – NOT A CHECK USUAL
What’s special: Ohtani didn’t go through the government or the Red Cross. Instead, he divided his donation into three practical actions:
1. $1 million: Rebuilding two fire-damaged elementary schools in Redding (CA) and Medford (OR)
Each school will have a smoke-proof classroom, a climate change library, and a mini-soccer field called “Sho’s Field.”
2. $1 million: Providing air purifiers & oxygen to five evacuation centers
Including funding for more than 200 portable air purifiers, solar panels for emergency medical stations.
3. $1 million: Supporting animal rescue centers – victims left behind in the fire zone
“It’s not just people who lost their homes… thousands of pets were left behind,” – Ohtani wrote on Instagram, along with a photo of him holding a dog from the rescue center.
At a hasty press conference at the Dodgers’ practice field, Ohtani spoke in Japanese, which was translated into a choked silence:
“I throw the ball with all my strength, but today, I want to throw away the fear, the pain, and help someone have a home.”
MLB HEROES, AND THE HOMELESS
As America burned on both sides of the West Coast, Shohei Ohtani chose not to stay away from the flames. He stepped into them—with all his heart.