It seems like once every decade or so in one of the professional sports, a generational talent comes along.
And that certainly seems to be the case these days.
Think Connor McDavid in the NHL. Scottie Scheffler on the PGA Tour or Victor Wembanyama in the NBA.
But one athlete is currently in a league of his own, and that would be one Shohei Ohtani.
The Los Angeles Dodger pitcher/designated hitter is one of the most extraordinary athletes in modern sports, redefining what’s possible in Major League Baseball. A once-in-a-century talent, Ohtani is both an elite pitcher and a powerful hitter—a rare two-way player who excels on both sides of the game. Since joining the Los Angeles Angels in 2018, and now playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani has consistently shattered expectations and historical comparisons.
At the plate, Ohtani is a fearsome slugger. He hits for both power and average, regularly ranking among the league leaders in home runs, OPS, and extra-base hits. Tuesday night, he hit his 50th home run of the season, and in 2021 while playing for the Angels, he hit 46 home runs, drove in 100 RBIs, and stole 26 bases, earning him the American League MVP award. He’s espected to run away with the NL MVP award this season.
And I haven’t even touched on what he’s capable of on the mound. With a fastball that touches 100 mph and a devastating splitter, he is at times, almost unhittable. In five innings of work Tuesday night while also hitting his 50th home run of the season, Ohtani pitched five hitless innings with five strikeouts. He’s posted impressive ERA and strikeout numbers, often serving as his team’s ace despite battling arm issues. His 2022 season saw him finish with a 2.33 ERA and 219 strikeouts over 166 innings, placing him among the top pitchers in the league.
What truly sets Ohtani apart, though, is that he does both at an elite level—something not seen since Babe Ruth, and arguably even better due to today’s competition. His work ethic, humility, and charisma have made him a global ambassador for the game, drawing massive attention from fans in both the U.S. and Japan.
Shohei Ohtani isn’t just good—he’s historically great. He’s rewriting the rules of baseball and inspiring a new generation of players to dream bigger. There is no one else like him in the game today, or any sport for that matter.