In an unprecedented display of athletic prowess, Shohei Ohtani has left the baseball world in awe once again. Going 6 for 6, belting three home runs, driving in 10 RBIs, and stealing two bases in a single game in Miami, Ohtani has showcased why many consider him the most remarkable player in baseball history.
Record-Breaking Season
This latest feat is just one of many highlights in a season that has seen Ohtani accomplish something no player has ever done before: achieving 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. Analysts around the league are running out of superlatives to describe his impact on the game.
"There's never been anyone like this," some observers proclaim, capturing the sentiment that Ohtani’s dual-threat dominance has stirred among fans and analysts alike.
A Playoff Milestone
As the season progresses, Ohtani is set to experience another first. With the Los Angeles Dodgers securing a playoff berth following their victory against the Marlins on Thursday, Ohtani will taste postseason play for the first time in his career. For a player of his caliber, this is a long-overdue milestone.
A Journey of Excellence
But Ohtani's journey to this point didn't happen overnight. His early career in Nippon Professional Baseball was a harbinger of the spectacular feats he would later achieve. At the tender age of 19, he posted a 2.61 ERA in 155 1/3 innings while displaying decent hitting in 234 plate appearances.
The transition to Major League Baseball only served to amplify his remarkable talents. In 2021, Ohtani delivered 46 home runs, 100 RBIs, and 26 stolen bases. Concurrently, he showcased his pitching prowess with a 3.18 ERA and 156 strikeouts in 130 1/3 innings pitched.
The following year, he continued to break barriers, achieving a 144 OPS+, 34 home runs, 95 RBIs, 15 wins, 219 strikeouts in 166 innings, a 2.33 ERA, and a 1.01 WHIP. These numbers solidified his reputation as an unparalleled two-way player.
An Unmatched Talent
This season, Ohtani's extraordinary performance has been maintained, if not elevated. Currently boasting a 185 OPS+, 44 home runs, 95 RBIs, 102 runs, 20 stolen bases, 10 wins, 167 strikeouts in 132 innings, and a 3.14 ERA, his stats serve as a testament to his all-encompassing talent.
For those who hold Babe Ruth as the gold standard, Ohtani has surpassed certain benchmarks even Ruth couldn't reach. Babe Ruth never exceeded 17 stolen bases in a season, and as many have noted, "Ohtani has been a full-time, two-way player for a longer period than Babe Ruth ever was."
The G.O.A.T. Debate
In the ongoing debate about the greatest of all time in baseball, Ohtani's name is now often mentioned with a sense of reverence. As one analyst succinctly put it, "He needs more longevity before that threshold can be reached, but there shouldn't be much arguing with this statement: He's the most all-around talented player in baseball history."
Indeed, the spectacle of Ohtani’s achievements has left some skeptical minds reconsidering their stance. "Never hang out with that person," is the common refrain directed toward anyone who is irked by Ohtani's remarkable productivity on the diamond. For true baseball aficionados, the marvel lies in witnessing history unfold in real-time.
The conversation around Shohei Ohtani is bound to grow louder and more intense as he continues to redefine what it means to be an exceptional player. With every swing, steal, and strikeout, Ohtani isn't just playing the game; he is rewriting the narrative of baseball excellence.