Shohei Ohtani has become a true unicorn in Major League Baseball due to his ability to both hit and pitch at a high level.
Ohtani has slugged at least 40 home runs in four of his first eight seasons and most notably joined the 50/50 club with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024.
Ohtani has also thrived on the mound as his 11.4 strikeouts per nine would be the best mark in MLB history if he qualified. He has gone 39-20 with a 3.00 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in parts of four seasons as a pitcher.
Ohtani’s talents were on full display against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the 2025 National League Championship Series when he hit three home runs and punched out 10 batters.
During an appearance on MLB Network’s “Hot Stove,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called Ohtani the greatest baseball player of all-time:
“I’m as old school as anybody, but I do feel he is the best player of all-time to put on a baseball uniform. I don’t need to see another five years to validate what my eyes already see. I get the longevity piece, what people want to see, but I think we’ve all seen enough.”
Roberts has had the privilege of being around some of the game’s biggest legends during his time in MLB, both as a player and manager.
He previously compared Ohtani to Barry Bonds, who is considered one of the greatest players ever and certainly the best hitter.
While Roberts noted that Bonds is in a class by himself for his hitting, Ohtani’s dominance as a pitcher makes him one of the most unique players to ever step on a baseball field.
MLB Network celebrated Shohei Ohtani
MLB Network celebrated Ohtani on Wednesday by airing a full day of programming that focused on the two-way star. The “Shohei Day” tribute was aptly scheduled for Jan. 7, or 1/7, in recognition of Ohtani’s No. 17 jersey that he’s worn since making his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018.
MLB Network put a spotlight on some of Ohtani’s most memorable games by way of special studio segments, guest appearances, and original storytelling that were featured across their daily shows and social media accounts.
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