The Leaders Who Say the Least: No Speech Needed

Two of the most respected players in baseball, Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, will take the field in Tuesday night’s All-Star Game, not for their words, but for how they play. They lead by showing up, doing the work, and honoring the people around them. Their power comes from presence, consistency, and respect.

Shohei Ohtani: The Respect Never Wavers

Every time Shohei Ohtani steps into the batter’s box, he greets the catcher and the umpire. Then, if he reaches first base, he greets the first baseman, as well as the first base umpire. It’s usually a slight nod and a quick hello, no matter the inning or score. It doesn’t matter if he had crushed a 400-foot home run or struck out swinging. He repeats the ritual, inning after inning, game after game. 

Ohtani is the only player in MLB who says “hi” to the ump before every at-bat, umpires told ESPN’s Buster Olney this season. That ritual might seem like a minor detail, but to those watching closely, it reveals everything.

Ohtani, who was born and raised in Japan, doesn’t need to deliver passionate pep talks or yell from the dugout to make an impact. His primary language isn’t English, but his habits speak fluently. In Japanese culture, there’s a deep-rooted concept of rei: a sense of etiquette and respect that shows up in posture, eye contact, and everyday interactions. Ohtani brings that mindset to Major League Baseball, where he elevates the professionalism of everyone around him.

"Whether I do well or not, I try to keep my approach the same," Ohtani said in an interview last season. "I want to respect the game and the people who are part of it."

He doesn’t need to say much. The way he carries himself is the message.

Aaron Judge: Consistency Over Charisma

Aaron Judge plays in one of the most intense environments in professional sports. He’s the captain of the New York Yankees, a two-time home run champion, and a former MVP. But you won’t find him drawing attention to himself. He doesn’t flip his bat, complain much to umpires, or throw teammates under the bus.

Instead, Judge runs out ground balls. He takes accountability when things go wrong, like when he dropped a routine flyball in the 2024 World Series. He shakes every rookie’s hand on their first day in the clubhouse. Whether the Yankees win or lose, he always stands in front of the media and answers the hard questions without sulking. 

“I’ve always believed that leadership isn’t about yelling or showing off,” Judge once told reporters. “It’s about showing up, doing your job the right way, and helping others do the same.”

That consistency is what teammates trust and what fans respect. It’s also what makes Judge a rare kind of captain, one who leads by doing, not declaring.

The Takeaway: Less Talk, More Trust

Sports can reward those with volume and charisma, but players like Ohtani and Judge remind us that leadership can also be subtle. They don’t demand attention. They earn respect by the way they carry themselves every single day.

True leadership doesn’t need a microphone. It needs humility and repetition, as well as people willing to do the little things, such as the handshakes, the sprints to first, and the postgame interviews, even when it feels meaningless. 

Wherever you lead—at home, at work, or in your community—ask yourself: What daily habits are you modeling? And how might you lead by presence, not volume?

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