A lot of mystery surrounds Ohtani off the field, especially since the gambling controversy in 2024, involving an interpreter who stole millions of dollars to feed his gambling addiction, supposedly without Shohei’s knowledge.

Shohei Ohtani is great at more than just baseball

What is not controversial is Ohtani’s willingness to help out his teammates, something that has been on display behind the scenes, out in LA.

Minnesota native Gus Varland, brother of former Minnesota Twins reliever Louie Varland, is one of those former teammates who experienced Shohei’s generosity firsthand.

Against all odds, the Varland brothers parlayed a college career under Concordia St. Paul coach Mark “Lunch” McKenzie into professional careers that they carried all the way to the big leagues.

But in February of 2023, their mom Kim Varland, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Shohei Ohtani signed a ten-year deal worth $700 million with the Dodgers, prior to the 2024 season.

Ohtani came to former Minnesota Twins reliever’s rescue

Upon hearing of Kim’s cancer diagnosis, Ohtani stepped up and helped pay for a cancer treatment that helped result in Varland being cancer-free two years later.

On a recent interview with Japanese television, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made Ohtani’s philanthrapic effort for his teammate public knowledge. And the story is pretty powerful.

Shohei Ohtani made a “big contribution” to former Dodgers teammate Gus Varland, whose mom was battling cancer a couple years ago

Dave Roberts saw her at the World Series supporting her other son, Blue Jays pitcher Louis Varland. She told him her cancer is gone

(via @ANNnewsCH) pic.twitter.com/qwBhUpuDh0

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) December 8, 2025

“We had, a couple of years ago, his [Varland] mom had cancer. Shohei made a very, very big contribution to help get his mom, one of his teammates, treatment. That was a big moment. I thought everyone really appreciated that. Ironically that player we had, his brother pitched for the Blue Jays in the World Series. I saw the mom during the World Series and I said how are you doing? She said the cancer is gone. Shohei does a lot of great things, but a lot of what he does is on the down low.”

Dave Roberts

Kim Varland beating cancer is the best part of this wonderful story. Gus pitched in just 15 games for the Dodgers over his two seasons in LA, between 2023 and 2024.

Shohei Ohtani didn’t join the organization until 2024, so his history with Varland was certainly limited. Still, that didn’t stop the 31-year-old Japanese phenom from stepping up.

Louie Varland was once a 15th round pick by the Minnesota Twins. Gus Varland was a 14th round pick in 2018, the year prior. Little did they know that making it to the Major Leagues would help save their mom.