Shohei Ohtani is not just your average baseball player. He is a rare breed – a two-way superstar who excels both on the mound and at the plate. And on Friday night, he added yet another impressive feat to his already extraordinary resume. After pitching six scoreless innings, Ohtani went on to hit three home runs, solidifying his place as one of the most talented players in the game.
The 27-year-old’s performance was nothing short of amazing. He showed his incredible endurance and versatility by dominating on both sides of the ball. It was a display of pure athleticism and skill that left fans and experts in awe. Despite his remarkable accomplishment, Ohtani’s performance was overshadowed by a bizarre reason – he was ranked less impressive than Aaron Judge, a player who didn’t even have a game on Friday.
Some might argue that Ohtani’s feat was not as impressive as Judge’s because he did it in a regular season game, while Judge did it in the playoffs. But this argument holds no weight. Ohtani’s performance should be celebrated and recognized for what it truly is – a historic moment in baseball.
Let’s take a closer look at Ohtani’s remarkable outing. He started the game as the Angels’ pitcher, a role he has excelled in this season. He struck out 10 batters while giving up only two hits in six scoreless innings. This was his 10th start of the season and he now has an impressive 2.79 ERA. But Ohtani wasn’t done yet.
After his impressive pitching performance, Ohtani stepped up to the plate and showed off his hitting prowess. He hit his first home run in the third inning, a 418-foot shot that left the ballpark in a hurry. In the fifth inning, he added a 429-foot home run to his tally. And in the seventh inning, he completed his hat-trick with a 388-foot blast, making him the third player in MLB history to hit three home runs in a game while also pitching in the same game.
While Ohtani’s performance was nothing short of superhuman, it’s not the first time he has wowed the baseball world. In July, he became the first player ever to be selected to the All-Star game as both a pitcher and a position player. He also leads the league in home runs with 44, making him a strong contender for the AL MVP award.
Despite all these remarkable accomplishments, Ohtani’s performance on Friday was deemed less impressive than Judge’s for a reason that makes no sense. Judge, who plays for the New York Yankees, didn’t even have a game on Friday. In fact, he hasn’t played since October 17, when the Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs. So how can a player who hasn’t even stepped on the field be ranked more impressive than Ohtani, who had a game for the ages?
The answer is simple – bias. Ohtani, a Japanese-born player, has been subjected to unfair comparisons and scrutiny throughout his career. Many experts have doubted his ability to succeed in the MLB because he plays in a league that is predominantly made up of American players. But Ohtani has proven time and time again that he is a force to be reckoned with, regardless of where he comes from.
It’s time to give credit where credit is due. Ohtani’s performance on Friday should be celebrated and recognized for the incredible feat that it is. He has solidified himself as one of the most talented players in the game and his achievements should not be overshadowed by any unfounded comparisons.
It’s important to remember that both Ohtani and Judge are exceptional players, and their accomplishments should not be pitted against each other. Instead of comparing them, we should appreciate the greatness of these players and celebrate their unique talents.
In the end, it doesn’t matter who is ranked more impressive – Ohtani or Judge. What matters is that we have been fortunate enough to witness their remarkable talents and witness history in the making. And for that, we should be grateful.