The best player in baseball history, Babe Ruth, who is known as baseball itself, has become a player who can surpass him? Shohei Ohtani (30), who became the first player in baseball history to hit 50 homers and 50 steals following a full-time pitching and hitting for three consecutive seasons, received the greatest compliment from Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Washington Post, one of the three major U.S. daily newspapers, called Ohtani’s status the greatest in baseball history, saying on the 24th (Korea Standard Time), “I’m sorry for Babe Ruth and Willie Mace, but Ohtani is the greatest in baseball history.”
Ruth, who played for 22 years between 1914 and 1935, was the best home run hitter of the time with a total of 714 homers, leading the popularization of baseball. She was also a pitcher at the beginning of her debut. Having played as an outfielder for 23 years between 1948 and 1973, Mays is considered the most perfect baseball player in the offense and defense industry with 660 homers and 339 steals.
Ohtani, who has made history in the Major League as the best pitching and hitting player since Ruth, has risen to a milestone of 50 homers and 50 steals for the first time in the world’s baseball history this year. He has begun to be treated as a “Greatest Of All Time” (GOAT) in the baseball community to the extent that he is compared to or higher than Ruth and Mace.
The Washington Post, a leading U.S. newspaper, also published a special article on Ohtani. Rick Riley, a sports columnist, wrote a special column on Ohtani, saying, “On the 20th, the Japanese giant of the Dodgers had the greatest day in baseball history in 155 years. He recorded three home runs, two doubles and two stolen bases with 10 RBIs by recording six hits in six at-bats. He led the Dodgers to the postseason and achieved 50 homers and 50 steals in a season.”
“The 50-50 club is not big. Ohtani is the only one. No other player has exceeded the 50-50 mark, but Ohtani has achieved it with nine more games to play. Since then, he has extended his record to 53-55, which is ridiculous,” Ohtani said. “Slugger has huge chest muscles and has to turn sideways when he walks through a corridor. Speedsters can’t leave any footprints on the beach. However, Ohtani has both. He is like three Michelin stars.”
Riley also said there are “five-tool players in baseball. They must possess hitting, power, defense, throwing, and main skills. There are few players who can find players with all five tools such as Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Mike Trout, and Ken Griffey Jr. If only his arms were in good shape, Otani was also one of the best pitchers in the league. Two years ago, he ranked fourth in the voting for the Cy Young Award of the American League. He is a pitcher who boasts 100-mph fastball, command, movement, defense, and calmness. With five batting and pitching skills, Otani is a 10-tool player.” 안전놀이터
Riley also said, “We’re seeing the best baseball player that exists. It’s better than Aaron, Mace, Mantle, Ted Williams. None of them were pitchers.” Ruth, standing next to Ohtani, however, would have seemed like a local grocery store owner. Ruth has never even joined a 20-20 club, let alone 53-55. She is Ruth, who has abs and jet packs. Ruth was a great pitcher and batter, but she sided with Ohtani, who has a muscular body, rather than a fat, slow player.
“Ohtani is a good player. He likes to greet people around him, including catchers, referees, base coaches, bat boys, wherever they are at bat, first base, and mound. He is also a person who picks up trash in dugout,” he said, adding, “I’ve been around here for a long time, but I’ve never seen a player like Ohtani. I hope one day he will be able to see him win MVP, Cy Young Award, Home Run King, Triple Crown and Nobel Peace Prize,” in anticipation of Ohtani’s versatility and unlimited influence.
Ohtani, who had 53 homers and 55 steals until last Monday, has six more games to play in the remaining season. He can reach 55 homers and 57 steals arithmetically. He is aiming to add a new record in the home game against the San Diego Padres, which will take place at Dodger Stadium on Saturday.
