Shohei Ohtani, arguably the most popular athlete in Japan right now, has signed a long-term contract with New Balance. In honor of their new hero, the Boston-based shoemakers are releasing a limited-edition version of the New Balance 574 Cleat.

оhtаni hаs been breаking recоrds like there’s nо tоmоrrоw since he signed with the MLB just five yeаrs аgо. аfter eаrning Rооkie оf the Yeаr hоnоrs in 2018, he didn’t wаste аny time in clаiming аmericаn Leаgue MVP hоnоrs in 2020.

Along the way, he was named to the MLB All-Star team twice, set two Guinness World Records, was chosen player of the year by various magazines, and was named to the MLB All-Star First Team as both a pitcher and a designated hitter (DH). As New Balance themselves put it, “he’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen”.

Ohtani has hitched the wedding with New Balance in 2023, despite rumors that he will become the best paid athlete in free agency after the upcoming season. While posing for his new brand, Ohtani also presented a new limited-edition New Balance 574 Cleat.

Baseball cleats have been added to the outsole, connecting the sneaker industry and America’s National Pastime. Otherwise, the shoe is nearly identical to the original 574. There are also modifications made to the interior of the Cleat variant to make it suitable for use in baseball stadiums. In addition to being a historic event for the brand’s history, this will be the debut appearance of the timeless design on the field.

The New Balance 574 Cleat, which retails for US$120, will be available at brick-and-mortar stores in the coming weeks as fans excitedly await the start of the 2017 MLB season.

The “Blue Haze” New Balance 90/60 is set to release soon.