Shohei “Show Time” Ohtani

[varoadking]

Hit his 30th tonight...

[WashingtonWizards23]

It’s insane. Manfred should market this guy and make him the face of baseball. 

[imref]

Hit his 30th tonight...

Plus in the bottom of the ninth he walked, stole a base, and scored the walk-off run sliding on a close play at home

[Natsinpwc]

So are they going to let Shohei go back to Tokyo for the Olympics?  I suppose not.  But that would be fun and would probably get MLB more publicity than anything else. 

[Count Walewski]

Just for comparison, in the last season in which he regularly pitched (1919), Babe Ruth hit only 29 home runs.

[Five Banners]

Just for comparison, in the last season in which he regularly pitched (1919), Babe Ruth hit only 29 home runs.

A year reportedly before the dead ball era ended

[Count Walewski]

In 1919, Babe Ruth slashed .322/.456/.657 with 29 home runs. He also started 12 games as a pitcher, posting a 2.97 ERA with 2 strikeouts per 9 innings.

In 2021, at the halfway mark of the season, Shohei Ohtani is slashing .280/.364/.705 with 30 home runs. He has also started 12 games as a pitcher, posting an ERA of 3.60 with 12.45 strikeouts per 9 innings.

Shohei Ohtani will never come close to Babe Ruth's OPS (Ruth routinely hit just short of .400 once he became a pure hitter) but also keep in mind that Babe Ruth really only tried be both a pitcher and an everyday hitter for 2 years, 1918-1919.

I feel comfortable saying that Shohei Ohtani is probably the most unique MLB player I have seen in my lifetime. I would go so far as to predict that if I live another 30-40 years, I am more likely to see another Willie Mays than another Shohei Ohtani.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

So are they going to let Shohei go back to Tokyo for the Olympics?  I suppose not.  But that would be fun and would probably get MLB more publicity than anything else. 

Gonna guess they say no but they will use him to promote the next WBC.  Ohtani in Japan, with a full complement of players from the DR, would do more to publicize baseball than anything MLB could dream up. 

[WashingtonWizards23]

Orioles intentionally walks him 3 times

[Count Walewski]

Do the ASG special resubstitution rules allow Ohtani to leave the game as a DH and re-enter as a pitcher without the AL losing its use of the DH?

[Natsinpwc]

Do the ASG special resubstitution rules allow Ohtani to leave the game as a DH and re-enter as a pitcher without the AL losing its use of the DH?

I hope so.

[WashingtonWizards23]

Babe Ruth didn’t even hit 30 homers and made 10 starts in the same year. Dare I say Shohei is better than the GOAT

[Natsinpwc]

Babe Ruth didn’t even hit 30 homers and made 10 starts in the same year. Dare I say Shohei is better than the GOAT

Well, if Ohtani switches to bat full time and has the career Ruth had, maybe.

[KnorrForYourMoney]

*sigh* if only that had been the Isles.  Would have loved to have seen Trotz get another ring and stick it to spray-tan Ted.

[Count Walewski]

Babe Ruth didn’t even hit 30 homers and made 10 starts in the same year. Dare I say Shohei is better than the GOAT

If he can do this for a few seasons, he'll always be in the conversation. He's not gonna ever reach the counting stats or career WAR of guys like Ruth, Mays, Bonds, etc. but his unique versatility will mean there's always gonna be the guy who goes "but what about Ohtani". That guy might not win the argument every time or even ever, but neither will he be laughed out of the conversation.

[bluestreak]

*sigh* if only that had been the Isles.  Would have loved to have seen Trotz get another ring and stick it to spray-tan Ted.

Ohtani also plays hockey? He is amazing.

[imref]

Ohtani also plays hockey? He is amazing.

Yep, goalie and center. 75 goals and a 0.88 GAA last year.

[KnorrForYourMoney]

Ohtani also plays hockey? He is amazing.

Probably could if he wanted to.

(I am so perplexed that I posted that here.  I don't even remember opening this thread today.)

[WashingtonWizards23]

Babe freaking Ruth ops+ 206 his entire career. Nobody can match that. I’m saying Ohtani is a better “two way player”

[WashingtonWizards23]

He just pitched 6 shutout innings. Don’t ask if they won. 

[imref]

He just pitched 6 shutout innings. Don’t ask if they won. 

Angels baseball

[Dave in Fairfax]

He came out of the game as pitcher, but stayed in and played in the outfield, where he had to watch Steve Cishek give up three runs. It was painful for me too watch; I can't imagine how he felt.

[WashingtonWizards23]

1.33 era since July 1. Will pitch tomorrow. Get your popcorns ready

[Natsinpwc]

1.33 era since July 1. Will pitch tomorrow. Get your popcorns ready

No popcorn but enjoying watching him pitch and hit.  Two scoreless innings so far. A double and a walk at the plate.  Unfortunately will need to hit the sack soon.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

40 hrs