And no one may have been more thrilled to see Japanese ballplayer in person than Jake Lee.
"I love him and support him but I had doubts whether that king of a human being really existed, but now my eyes saw him, so those doubts are gone."
Lee is the president of a South Korean fan club for Ohtani which has more than 500 members.
Lee's dedication to Ohtani is evident in every corner of his study room, with everything from signed baseballs, to photos to autograph cards worth $20,000 vying for pride of place.
If you doubted his devotion, look at his cars. Lee spent more than $375,000 on two Porsches. His idol, Ohtani, is luxury car's brand ambassador.
Lee even authored a book titled, "I Drive Porsche like Ohtani," about his fandom last year.
While he cherishes the keepsakes, he values what they represent even more and how that has had a positive effect on him.
Lee said Ohtani's visit felt like divine intervention.
"It's like the prayers I've been offering for years are finally being answered -- it's a moment of religious awe."
And on Friday, he got to see his idol, in the flesh.
