Who Is Masahiro Tanaka? Age, Biography and Wiki
As of 2025, Masahiro Tanaka is 36 years old. Born in Itami, Hyogo, Japan, he rose to prominence as a professional baseball player and became known for his formidable pitching skills. He began his career with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), where he gained attention for his incredible performance. Tanaka later took his talents to Major League Baseball (MLB), joining the New York Yankees, where he became a fan favorite. His biography details a journey marked by determination, skill, and success in the highly competitive world of baseball.
| Occupation | Baseball Players |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 1, 1988 |
| Age | 36 Years |
| Birth Place | Itami, Hyōgo, Japan |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Country | Japan |
Popularity
Masahiro Tanaka's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Masahiro Tanaka stands at an impressive height of 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) and weighs around 205 pounds (93 kg). His athletic physique complements his role as a pitcher, where agility and strength are crucial. In terms of measurements, Tanaka maintains a well-proportioned body that allows him to perform at peak levels during games.
He began playing baseball in the first grade as a catcher for the Koyanosato Tigers (a Little League team) alongside current Yomiuri Giants shortstop Hayato Sakamoto, who was then the team's ace pitcher and Tanaka's batterymate. Tanaka and Sakamoto hit third and fourth in the lineup, respectively.
He went on to play for the Takarazuka Boys while attending Itami Municipal Matsuzaki Junior High School, being used at both pitcher and catcher because of his strong throwing arm. He was chosen to the Junior All-South Kansai team in his third year of junior high—the equivalent of ninth grade in the United States.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
In the realm of his personal life, Tanaka has largely kept details about his relationships private. However, as of 2025, he is reported to be happily married to his longtime girlfriend, Mai Satoda, who is a popular singer and actress in Japan. The couple tied the knot in 2019 and have remained supportive of each other's careers. They are known to keep their family life out of the limelight, focusing instead on their respective professional endeavors.
After the 2020 season, Tanaka decided to leave the MLB to return to Japan. Tanaka has said that he decided to return to Japan partly due to anti-Asian racism in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, he feared for the safety of his wife and children.
He said his child who was in Kindergarten at the time faced a negative incident, but did not disclose specific details to the media. In March 2021, months after Tanaka had already returned to Japan, Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman commented: (It is) heartbreaking to hear any of these stories that come out.
We need to, as a society, do a better job to make sure that (racism) is unwelcomed in any walk of life.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Masahiro Tanaka's net worth is estimated to be around $50 million. His wealth has accrued from his successful baseball career, lucrative contracts, sponsorship deals, and investments. During his time in MLB, Tanaka signed a significant multi-year contract with the New York Yankees, which greatly contributed to his financial standing. Additionally, he has capitalized on endorsement opportunities with various brands that have recognized his influence as a global sports figure.
After rival Yuki Saito announced that he would not be declaring for the upcoming draft, opting to go on to Waseda University instead, Tanaka became the single most highly touted high school player eligible to be picked.
On September 25, in the 2006 NPB high school draft, the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, Orix Buffaloes, Yokohama BayStars and Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles all selected Tanaka with their first-round picks.
The Golden Eagles drew the winning straw, signing him to a base salary of 15 million yen, a signing bonus of 100 million yen and additional performance-based incentives, the equivalent of what a first-round college or industrial league-player would normally receive, on November 2.
He was also given the uniform number 18, which typically denotes a team's staff ace in Japanese professional baseball.
Career, Business, and Investments
Tanaka's professional journey has seen numerous highlights. He has earned accolades both in NPB and MLB, including All-Star selections and championship titles. In the business realm, Tanaka has actively pursued investments, particularly in youth baseball academies aimed at nurturing young talent in Japan and abroad. His passion for the sport continues to drive his involvement in baseball-related ventures, giving back to the community that supported him throughout his career.
Both pitchers were chosen to play for Japan in the United States-Japan High School Baseball Tournament (organized by the Japanese Educational Resource Center in conjunction with the Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy).
Tomakomai High and Waseda Jitsugyo High met one last time in the finals of the Nojigiku Hyōgo National Sports Festival, the last tournament of Tanaka's high school career, but Tomakomai High was shut out by Saito and lost (1–0) to Waseda Jitsugyo, finishing second yet again.
Social Network
Masahiro Tanaka remains active on social media, engaging with fans and promoting his projects. His official accounts on platforms like Instagram and Twitter feature glimpses into his life off the field, including personal milestones, charitable activities, and insights into his daily training routines. This connectivity has allowed him to maintain a strong rapport with his fanbase, making him a beloved figure in both Japan and the United States.
He ended the regular season with a 24–0 record and 1.27 ERA, tops in both leagues. He also became the second post-war starting pitcher with an undefeated season with minimum innings required for an ERA title since Shigekuni Mashiba.
Education
Though specific details about his formal education remain limited, it is known that Tanaka developed his baseball skills from a young age, participating in local youth leagues and eventually attending high school with a strong baseball program. His dedication to the sport has been apparent throughout his life, and while he may not have pursued higher education in a traditional sense, his passion for learning the intricacies of baseball has shaped his successful career.
Tanaka moved on to Komazawa University Tomakomai High School in Hokkaidō, now playing solely as a pitcher for the team.
Armed with a fastball that sat in high-80s and a hard slider, he led his team all the way to a championship in the 87th National High School Baseball tournament held at Koshien Stadium in the summer of his second year (eleventh grade).
His very last pitch of the tournament was clocked at 150 km/h, the first time a pitcher had ever clocked that speed as a junior in the history of the tournament.
Tanaka, already a highly coveted talent by NPB scouts, was chosen to the Japanese team that would play in the IBAF AAA World Junior Championships following the tournament and contributed to the team's title.
