Is Shohei Ohtani the best we have ever seen in sports?

[Lam Dinh]

8 hours ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

Major League Baseball records …

Most seasons with at least 50 home runs and 20 stolen bases: The only player with multiple seasons to achieve this combination. 

First pitcher to hit a leadoff home run in a postseason game: A record he set in the NLCS. 

Tied record for most ballparks hit in a single season: Hit home runs in 18 different ballparks. 

First player in MLB history with a 50-50 season: Achieved in 2024 with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. 

@Gerry Hamilton - What's the football equivalent for what Shohei is doing? I might liken it to a QB throwing for 500 yards and also playing DE and getting 3 sacks/6 TFLs in a game? No offense to Travis Hunter, but WR/DB is no way near as hard as Starting Line pitcher and Top line hitter in baseball.

[Jordan91]

1 hour ago, CJ Vogel said:

Yep, the greatest ever. 

Nope. 

[coltonmartinez]

Ohtani is the greatest to ever do it. Not only because he’s a unicorn but because of the sheer talent and athleticism he’s doing it against. 

There is so much of a gap between him and everyone else that even an eventual 25HR (4.00 ERA) “down” year could see him win the MVP. Even just being effective at both is a feat so the fact that he’s elite at both is incredible.

Everyone seems to think that two-way players like Ohtani are gonna be the future which I could see happening eventually but not ones that are starting pitchers. It’ll probably be guys who are sparsely used as relievers and have to log the 20 innings rule to qualify as a TWP. 

ESPECIALLY since it also opens up an extra roster spot for teams

[Gerry Hamilton]

 

[dentonhorn]

Wilt Chamberlains 100 point and double digit estimated blocks and rebounds is easily the best single game dominance. Offense and defense domination. Thing is he may have not scored 100 again but he did similar things night in and night out. 

[Thanos72]

On 10/18/2025 at 7:25 AM, Texasborn91 said:

Nobody will ever come close to doing what he’s doing ever again. It’s the equivalent of being a pro bowl quarterback on offense while also being able to go lock up a teams #1 receiver on the next drive. Insane. 

Physically it’s not close to this. He’s definitely amazing but this is not remotely apples. Cardio alone is much different let alone the physical punishment. I think this limits best ever convos to baseball only.

Softball’s had unbelievable players that were elite pitchers and hitters.

Edited October 28, 2025 by Thanos72

[Gerry Hamilton]

Reached base in all nine plate appearances in game 3 of the World Series … with 2 HR and 2 doubles

And Tonight … starting pitcher and hitting lead off in game 4 of a World Series 

Compares to literally nothing we have ever seen 

[Texasborn91]

7 minutes ago, Thanos72 said:

Physically it’s not close to this. He’s definitely amazing but this is not remotely apples. Cardio alone is much different let alone the physical punishment. I think this limits best ever convos to baseball only.

Softball’s had unbelievable players that were elite pitchers and hitters.

To be dominant on both sides of the ball? It is applicable. It’s not an apples to apples but within the confines of his sport it most certainly applies. Offense good. Defense good. 

[Thanos72]

28 minutes ago, Texasborn91 said:

To be dominant on both sides of the ball? It is applicable. It’s not an apples to apples but within the confines of his sport it most certainly applies. Offense good. Defense good. 

Confined to baseball 💯 

[Gerry Hamilton]

It’s like starting a Super Bowl and being Calvin Johnson one day 

Then starting another Super Bowl as Eli Manning the next day 

[SchoolColors]

16 minutes ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

It’s like starting a Super Bowl and being Calvin Johnson one day 

Then starting another Super Bowl as Eli Manning the next day 

What the Wembanyama wrong with you?

[LonghornFan4Ever]

And now he's got the hardware

[Hasanyh]

I’ve been following Ohtani’s run too, and every time he does something wild, I end up double-checking matchups on Wunderdog because his impact on pitching and hitting shifts everything for betting. It’s one of the few places where the stats help me make sense of how to play games he’s in. His numbers make picking a side feel like trying to predict a comic-book character.

Edited 2 hours ago by Hasanyh

[BubbaJacques]

Every time Shohei Ohtani does another amazing baseball activity, I spit my drink all over my television in utter disbelief. That's when it's time for Windex from SC Johnson. After a few sprays of Windex, my big screen wipes clean. Thanks, Windex!

[Gerry Hamilton]

We are currently at 2-0 with a 0.38 ERA and 0.75 WHIP, plus 6 HR's this year. 

I do think pitching takes away from his overall offensive production. He's not hitting on pitching days this season right now. 

[harveycmd]

I admit I don't understand. Baseball is a specialization sport when it comes to pitching, so it's more or less unheard of to have a guy that can pitch great and also play great offense; but there have always been great offensive and defensive players in other sports. When I watch Ohtani, I don't think he's one of the greatest athletes I've ever seen.