Ohtani first AL pitcher in nearly 60 years to homer twice, strike out 10

He is the greatest sports athlete alive today! A living legend, next to none!

He will be watching the playoff at home as usual

He will be watching the playoff at home as usual

Angels are actually not doing bad this year. 2nd place in the AL West, just 5 games back of Texas. They are definitely still in contention for a playoff berth.

Much of which is thanks to Ohtani of course...

Yes, no doubt he is a super great and talented athlete. But sorry, that much overhyped media presence has now become a brainwashing and makes me sick, maybe many other people too. Ohtani here, Ohtani there, on all news, regular programs, and even if you would switch off, then it sounds through the radio speakers or jumps into your eyes when walking by newspaper stands. Drive that campaign a bit back please, we still aren’t here in North Korea where they also bring 24/7 only about one specific person. Thank you, and enjoy Ohtani, but if possible only at your own, private place.

2 homers AND 10 strike outs? You cannot be serious?

Just when we had all run out of superlatives, Ohtani has delivered another generational performance. Unbelievable!

He truly is The baseball GOAT.

He is the greatest sports athlete alive today! A living legend, next to none!

Yep. Biggest sporting superstar on earth - not just the baseball GOAT!

If Ohtani continues at the present pace, he’ll be the only MLB player to have 50 home runs and over 200 strikeouts as a pitcher in the same season.

I live in his hometown. He and my son were classmates in junior high school. He's been great for a long time. Kind of wish he'd go to Atlanta so that I could really cheer for him.

need to go an watch this guy live...love it a Japanese player showing all the yanks how its done

Fighto!Today 03:37 pm JST

2 homers AND 10 strike outs? You cannot be serious?

Just when we had all run out of superlatives, Ohtani has delivered another generational performance. Unbelievable!

He truly is The baseball GOAT.

Long way to go for that. A GOAT needs to be at the top of many statistical categories for a sustained period. Pitchers don't hit anymore and many were bad hitters back in the old days so he's doing something that is unique for THESE times. He's doing things pitchers don't do now but things like in today's story are not main stats, they are mix and match, but he is leading in WAR so that says something. Ten more years of sustained excellence, then we can talk about GOAT status. Also, GOATs elevate those around them and bring home titles, like Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth and Wayne Gretzky have done multiple times.

His impact on baseball is comparable to MJ’s impact on basketball. He’s single-handedly taking baseball to a higher level and attracting people to the sport. MLB is very, very lucky to have him.

It must be difficult to calculate his WAR because there simply isn't a high enough value that exists currently.

Long way to go for that. A GOAT needs to be at the top of many statistical categories for a sustained period. Pitchers don't hit anymore and many were bad hitters back in the old days so he's doing something that is unique for THESE times. He's doing things pitchers don't do now but things like in today's story are not main stats, they are mix and match, but he is leading in WAR so that says something. Ten more years of sustained excellence, then we can talk about GOAT status. Also, GOATs elevate those around them and bring home titles, like Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth and Wayne Gretzky have done multiple times.

I agree that GOAT talk is extremely premature at this point, but we are getting close to where Hall of Fame discussion is in the picture.

He hasn’t amassed the counting stats yet, but there are some precedents for guys who had short but high impact careers. Sandy Koufax really only had 6 seasons as a dominant pitcher for example yet was so dominant in those 6 years that they made him a first ballot guy.

Ohtani first AL pitcher in nearly 60 years to homer twice, strike out 10

No kidding, the AL hasn't had a pitcher hit regularly since 1989, but include ALL pitchers and Zak Greinke did it about 4 years ago.

He became the sixth player with 10 strikeouts and two home runs in a game since the mound moved to its current distance in 1893, joining Zack Greinke (2019), Madison Bumgarner (2017), Rick Wise (1971), Pedro Ramos (1963) and Milt Pappas (1961). And Ohtani is the first player since 1900 with 10 strikeouts and three hits in multiple games in a single season.

Be fair with the reporting!

Altuve is a cheating midget.

Otani is the real deal

I don't watch much rounders but having watched a bit of the WBC in March I've been paying a bit more attention to the MLB, and this fellow is one impressive athletic unit. He looks like he'd excel at at any sport he turned to.

MLB looks so much more fun than Japanese baseball. The stadiums look better and the players seem to have a bit more freedom to show their talents.

Still not as good as cricket though.

No kidding, the AL hasn't had a pitcher hit regularly since 1989, but include ALL pitchers and Zak Greinke did it about 4 years ago.

Speaking of Zak, even though it was my hometown Royals, I was really happy to see Shohei take his 70 mph junk ball and put it in the fountain (or nearly so) last week.

I was really happy to see Shohei take his 70 mph junk ball

What's a junk ball?

and put it in the fountain (or nearly so) last week.

Is this a euphemism for something, or is there an actual fountain where junk balls are put?

I have seen him a few times at Anaheim Stadium. When he steps on the field, one can feel the magic in the air. Literally. It is amazing. Reminds me of when I used to watch Koufax, Drysdale, or Wilbur Stargell. The greats of baseball bring something to the sport that money can't buy.

Have heard rumors that he will soon be the highest paid player in the history of baseball. I remember when Koufax and Drysdale went on strike, demanding to be paid $100,000 per year. Not 100 million, just 100 thousand. Ohtani fills the stadiums, empties the stores of collectibles, and makes lots of memories for the fans. I remember him in a freeway series with the Dodgers; he hit, drove in a run, scored a run, and pitched. What he didn't do was play the outfield or catch behind home plate. Oh well, can't do everything.

Is this a euphemism for something, or is there an actual fountain where junk balls are put?

Both the Royals and the Angels home stadiums have decorative fountains beyond their outfield fences which home run balls are sometimes hit into,

Long way to go for that. A GOAT needs to be at the top of many statistical categories for a sustained period. 

I totally agree. It sad in today's "instant" world that people seem to have lost the meaning of GOAT. If he continues at this pace, for another 8 years or so, he certainly deserves to be in the discussion.

Is this a euphemism for something, or is there an actual fountain where junk balls are put?

Google the stadium where the Angel's play their home games. You will see the actual fountain that is being referred to here.

Oh and "junk" balls are a euphemism that is often used for pitchers who throw off speed pitches and dont throw "heat" all the time. It's hard to believe, but many MLB hitters are more capable of hitting a 100 mph fastball than a 60 mph eephus pitch.

(Eephus pitch definition)

An eephus pitch in baseball is a very high-arcing off-speed pitch. The delivery from the pitcher has very low velocity and often catches the hitter off-guard. The eephus pitch is thrown overhand like most pitches, but is characterized by an unusual, high-arcing trajectory

It's hard to believe, but many MLB hitters are more capable of hitting a 100 mph fastball than a 60 mph eephus pitch.

Appreciate the info. It's a slower ball that the batsman maybe isn't expecting and isn't timed to.

I like the idea of fountains in stadiums. I saw one stadium that seemed to have a jacuzzi. I think at least one Japanese stadium should have an onsen, shrine or active magma chamber within it. Japanese baseball needs to play to its cultural strengths.

“Hitting is timing. Pitching is messing with timing.” Warren Spahn.

1glenn is absolutely right. Some players have a charisma that others don't, just as players have better stats than others. I've seen a lot of baseball games and players like Reggie Jackson and Ricky Henderson could just stand there and draw attention. Ohtani is the most exciting player in any sport right now. Detractors are overlooking the obvious: compare a player by how is he doing amongst his peers. Ohtani has no peers. He's really that good.

@Yrral why don't you goggle the Angels record, as I see it without goggle they will make the play off. What are you watching Pickle ball?

He will be watching the playoff at home as usual

How much you want to bet

Only 6 from each division will make the playoffs,the Astros are 100 percent guaranteed

YubaruJune 28 10:15 pm JST

Long way to go for that. A GOAT needs to be at the top of many statistical categories for a sustained period.

> I totally agree. It sad in today's "instant" world that people seem to have lost the meaning of GOAT. If he continues at this pace, for another 8 years or so, he certainly deserves to be in the discussion.

People who are casual fans want to believe what Japanese TV tells them but people who know the game also know that he is not unique. He IS unique for these times but you just cannot diminish the old guys to make the new guys look good. Babe Ruth did that 100 years ago, and hit for a very high average, hit home runs scored runs and drove in runs. The guys nowadays are not good hitters and the pitchers are better. Mario Mendoza (look him up, fairweather fans) , would be saying, "I was a better hitter than 60 percent of these guys" but they still refer to the Mendoza Line to equal very bad hitter. There are 6 guys on the Yankees below that threshold. My point is that the game changes but the standard does not. Rings and the GOAT go together. As a Yankees fan, I love Jeter and Mariano, but my recent favorite is Don Mattingly. He won a batting title, many gold gloves, hit over .300 for his career and drove in runs. He shares the MLB record for consecutive games with a home run. No hole in his game but he never won a title and that is keeping him out of the HOF. Ohtani is an all-time great but with no rings he will never be a or the GOAT.

MilesTegJune 28 05:31 pm JST

His impact on baseball is comparable to MJ’s impact on basketball. He’s single-handedly taking baseball to a higher level and attracting people to the sport. MLB is very, very lucky to have him.

I agree in some ways but baseball can survive without him. You may be thinking about Japan too much. Japanese people are front runners and if Ohtani wasn't all- world they would tune out but the game would go on without them. Dana White (UFC) looked at Japan the same way but their fighters were weak so the UFC moved on. The Saudis and Chinese have plenty of cash that they want to spend and they have clout. Japan is no longer a big player in many sports as their power has waned significantly.

Google Atuve vs Othani

As for the discussion about the Angels (and Ohtani) making the playoffs....

I think they will make the playoffs, but I don't think they will go all the way. I wish they would. They don't have as much depth as some other clubs, but that never tells the whole story. There needs to be a team spirit that lifts them up and carries them to the top. No one knows how to make that spirit, but it is obvious when it happens. It is akin, I think, to an actress and actor who have a special magic on screen. Some have it, and some don't, and money alone won't solve the problem. Sometimes a really good manager can inspire the team, and sometimes inspiration comes from a team leader or leaders. And sometimes it all comes down to luck.

If the Angels with Ohtani could go all the way, it would seal his reputation forever. Here's hoping. Can you imagine the price of tickets on the secondary market?

As for the price of tickets, I was able to get very good playoff tickets for the Dodgers back in the 1970s for less than $20 each. Needless to say, those days are gone.

Only 6 from each division will make the playoffs,the Astros are 100 percent guaranteed

There are 2 leagues in MLB, National and American, with 3 divisions, each with 5 teams. The 3 division winners and 3 wild cards from each league get into the playoffs, for a total of 12 teams.

In your way, every team, in every division makes the playoffs, with one leftover!