The Major League Baseball season officially starts with a two-game series between the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs, opening Tuesday in Tokyo.

Among many other things, this series brings the biggest baseball star in the world, Shohei Ohtani, to his home country to start the season following his third MVP award.

Ohtani did an exclusive interview with CBS Evening News in anticipation of the series. He acknowledged the pressure that comes with his stardom, stating:

“I’m not perfect, but I’m grateful for being here right now, including all the imperfections. I’m also really thankful to the people in America who helped develop and bring baseball to Japan.”

Ohtani, who last season hit an impressive .310/.390/.646 with 54 home runs, emphasized his responsibility towards young players who look up to him:

“It really means a lot to me when kids who play baseball say they want to be like Shohei Ohtani. I feel a strong responsibility to make sure I don’t let those kids down.”

The excitement of the Tokyo Series might overshadow the personal challenges he faces, but Ohtani continues to impress on the field, living up to the expectations of his fans.