Dodgers Front Office Official Says Shohei Ohtani is Unlike Any Athlete in Sports History

It's safe to say that Shohei Ohtani has reached the heights of popularity that few other athletes have. Not only does his name constantly make both national and international headlines, but he is legitimately revered across multiple parts of the globe.

Los Angeles Dodgers executive vice president and chief marketing officer Lon Rosen believes that Ohtani's popularity has transcended that of even some of the greatest athletes, including Michael Jordan.

“I’ve been around some of the biggest athletes in my 40 years or so in sports. Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Mike Tyson, Pelé. I have never seen anyone like Shohei, especially his popularity in Japan," Rosen told Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci. "He is revered not just because he is a sports figure. Like M.J. and Magic, he has that special something that people see he is authentic."

On top of his tremendous play on the baseball diamond, Rosen also credits Ohtani's humility for his personality.

“He’s got that special quality to be so enormously talented and still everyone feels like, ‘He’s just like me,’" Rosen said. "There are no airs of cockiness or superiority. They see him for what he is: a very thoughtful, humble person.”

Ohtani is certainly humble, and just a private person in general. He was so private his coaches and teammates did not even realize he was married until his recent Instagram post, and he keeps his public focus on his game.

It's clearly working for him. He has the biggest contract in baseball, huge endorsements, and is one of the most followed athletes today.