Shohei Ohtani Being Babe Ruth Should Be a Bigger Deal: Unchecked

Shohei Ohtani doing things that haven't been seen since Babe Ruth should be a bigger deal for MLB.

Kevin Durant knows the deal, but it feels like Shohei Ohtani should be a bigger deal. And if MLB can’t make him a crossover superstar, they might as well fold. Because I should see at least as much coverage of Ohtani as I do belt buckles.

Kevin Durant got some amazing seats to watch Shohei Ohtani — who he called a “different breed.”

Ohtani is also the AL MVP front runner imo. https://t.co/bCLwbQd1PS pic.twitter.com/ded25sqnZz

— Chris Milholen (@ChrisMilholen) June 28, 2021

What Shohei is doing right now has to be the coolest baseball story of my lifetime thus far that hasn’t been marred by a scandal. He’s accomplishing stuff at the plate and the mound that hasn’t been done since Babe Ruth who I still hear about even though he hasn’t played since The Great Gatsby was around. 

Shohei Ohtani has logged the 2,523rd instance in MLB history of a 25-homer season.

The previous 2,522 instances combined generated 41 pitching strikeouts (36 of which came from Babe Ruth).

Ohtani has already struck out 82 batters this season. It's June. pic.twitter.com/VSheOPsSiU

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 28, 2021

He leads all MLB in WAR, is tied for the lead in home runs, tops in extra-base hits, not to mention he also has a 2.58 ERA while striking out over 12 batters per nine innings. 

Serious question…

What argument could you make for any other player over Shohei Ohtani for MVP?

The guy literally dominates at the plate and on the mound. Not a single other player even attempts that, much less succeeds at it.

He’s the definition of “most valuable”.

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) June 28, 2021

Not only is he the MVP of the American League but he’s gotta be considered the best player in the game at this moment. If he keeps it up, there’s no reason he can’t go for the all-time title. I get that he plays for a mediocre team on the West Coast and English isn’t his first language, but time zones have never stopped the Lakers from receiving coverage and MLB should absolutely lean into his international appeal.

Plus, he comes off as incredibly likable, even down to not throwing a fit when getting checked for the sticky stuff. 

Of course this is how Shohei Ohtani’s substance check goes.

Smile. Laugh. Thank them.

pic.twitter.com/qGnQJcAF4o

— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) June 23, 2021

So, if I were Rob Manfred, from this point forward, I’d market the sport of baseball as MLB: The Sho.