After 100 years, baseball has seen an incredible two-way player on the field. Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels has not only put the skin on the legendary Babe Ruth, but has surpassed him.
Even his counterparts cannot deny Shohei Ohtani's magnificent outing in 2021. Not only did the Japanese player dominate the hitting, but he also outperformed everyone in pitching.
Shohei Ohtani versus Babe Ruth
In 1919, baseball had seen its first two-way player, the legend himself, Babe Ruth. However, Babe Ruth's outing as a two-way player was shorter than Ohtani's. While Ruth pitched for only half a season in 1919, Ohtani was the all-rounder all season.
The 27-year-old surpassed Babe Ruth's record as a two-way player. Starting with blistering home runs, in 1919 Ruth had smashed 29 HRs, while Ohtani hit 46 HRs. While Ohtani picked up 26 stolen bases and had 100 runs produced, Ruth had 7 stolen bases.
As a pitcher, Ohtani threw 23 games with 3.18 ERA, 148 H, 44 BB and 4.1 bWAR. In 1919, Babe Ruth had pitched 17 games, with 2.97 ERA, 98 H, 58 BB and 0.8 bWAR.
Remarkably, Ohtani achieved a feat that even Babe Ruth had not claimed. Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to hit more than 10 home runs and also recorded over 100 strikeouts as a pitcher in the same season.
Undeniably, Babe Ruth as a baseball player is above all else, but when it comes to being the two-way player, Ohtani has taken the throne.
Shohei won the MLB Player of the Year award
Recently, the MLB commissioner had awarded Ohtani with the rarely given Commissioner's Historical Achievement Award. Being the dominant pitcher and offensive hitter, even his opponent could supervise his incredible run. Ohtani was honored with two Players Choice Awards, by the MLB Players Union. Ohtani received the 2021 Player of the Year Award and the American League Player of the Year Award.
Even though Ohtani's team, the Los Angeles Angels, failed this season, he stood out. Do you think the world will see Ohtani's overall performance in the 2022 playoffs?
