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Shohei Ohtani, the other Babe Ruth of baseball

Be Interactive

2022-08-27 14:34:19

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani is proving to be the biggest mystery in Major League Baseball since Babe Ruth: he can also hit!

Shohei Ohtani, the only "other" Babe Ruth in baseball

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

Babe Ruth (right) is the iconic all-rounder in baseball. He hit 714 career home runs from 1914 to 1935.

Shohei Ohtani, baseball's only "other" Babe Ruth

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

On the mound, the Big Bambino was mostly active early in his career, until he was 24 years old.

Shohei Ohtani, baseball's only "other" Babe Ruth

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

Ruth pitched in an era when there was virtually no relief, so he threw more than 300 innings in two seasons, collecting 23 and 24 wins those years.

Shohei Ohtani, baseball's only "other" Babe Ruth

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

Ohtani is having less success than Ruth on the mound, if you go by statistics alone.

Shohei Ohtani, baseball's only "other" Babe Ruth

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

In nearly 300 career innings, Ohtani has collected 23 wins and 12 losses so far.

Shohei Ohtani, baseball's only "other" Babe Ruth

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

This season, the Japanese pitcher broke the 10-win barrier for the first time in his career.

Shohei Ohtani, baseball's only "other" Babe Ruth

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

Ohtani has also hit his share of long balls (25 so far).

Shohei Ohtani, baseball's only "other" Babe Ruth

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

He is the only one, along with Ruth, to have 10 wins on the mound and hit 10 long balls in a single season.

Shohei Ohtani, baseball's only "other" Babe Ruth

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

The only one in the history of baseball, a sport whose first games were played in the 1800s!

Shohei Ohtani, baseball's only "other" Babe Ruth

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

Ohtani has several seasons left in him, but many wonder if he'll continue to pitch for much longer.

Shohei Ohtani, baseball's only "other" Babe Ruth

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

Should his batting performance ever decline, the Angels could ask their star to focus on that aspect of the game.

Shohei Ohtani, baseball's only "other" Babe Ruth

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

It's worth noting that Ohtani did not pitch in 2019, and very little in 2020, due to surgery.

Shohei Ohtani, baseball's only "other" Babe Ruth

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

Since then, the success has been there, you have to admit it. A 9-2 record last year, not to mention his 46 home runs as a batter!

Shohei Ohtani, baseball's only "other" Babe Ruth

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

Now, important point: Shohei Ohtani will have to sign a new contract sooner or later.

Shohei Ohtani, baseball's only "other" Babe Ruth

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

The Angels will certainly want to secure his services for the long term, even if he were to eventually stop pitching.

Shohei Ohtani, baseball's only "other" Babe Ruth

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

A contract over $400M is a possibility in his case, and it will definitely be over $300M.

Shohei Ohtani, the only "other" Babe Ruth in baseball

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

It was not the Bambino who was able to receive such monetary recognition during his career!

Shohei Ohtani, baseball's only "other" Babe Ruth

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

It is often said that in sports, eras cannot be compared. True, but you can measure the impact of players on their era.

Shohei Ohtani, baseball's only "other" Babe Ruth

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

Ruth's cult following means that every year, fans still go to his grave with flowers and other memorabilia.

Shohei Ohtani, baseball's only "other" Babe Ruth

Credit: USA Today/IMAGN

It remains to be seen if the legend Shohei Ohtani will be as strong in a few decades!

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