Shohei leads off with a home run and pitches 5 shutout innings. Ruth never did that.

[MarathonMike]

Ohtani continues to fill up the record books. He's the only player in MLB history to pitch and lead off with a home run in the same game. And he's done it twice.

 

[Lockback]

Ohtani continues to fill up the record books. He's the only player in MLB history to pitch and lead off with a home run in the same game. And he's done it twice.

We're really lucky to be able to watch his mastery. It's breathtaking.

 

[Harry Dresden]

he is not off to his usual start at the plate....only 8 hr's....

 

[Darkwind]

Meh. Dodger player. No one really cares. lol
The Dodgers are dead to many of us, particularly those of us who are SF Giants fans. haha

 

[Harry Dresden]

Ohtani continues to fill up the record books. He's the only player in MLB history to pitch and lead off with a home run in the same game. And he's done it twice.

thats because ruth never led off....

 

[westwall]

thats because ruth never led off....

Nor has Otani had to hit balls turned to mush by opposing pitchers. I wonder what Ruth could have done in this era?

 

[Harry Dresden]

Nor has Otani had to hit balls turned to mush by opposing pitchers. I wonder what Ruth could have done in this era?

i think he would be pretty good but no where near as dominate as he was in the 20's...if Ruth would have been in the 30's he would have had more power hitters playing and would not have looked so dominate...

 

[westwall]

i think he would be pretty good but no where near as dominate as he was in the 20's...if Ruth would have been in the 30's he would have had more power hitters playing and would not have looked so dominate...

True, but today's players have it so much easier than Ruth's day. If he could adapt to the modern play, which I think he could, he would still be top tier, in my opinion.

 

[Harry Dresden]

True, but today's players have it so much easier than Ruth's day. If he could adapt to the modern play, which I think he could, he would still be top tier, in my opinion.

is it so much easier?....because of the money i think its much more competitive....

 

[westwall]

is it so much easier?....because of the money i think its much more competitive....

Players are players. The best get to play. The rules make the game much more level, IMO.

 

[Oklahoma Journalist]

Ohtani’s career batting average is .281. Ruth batted .342.

Ohtani’s OBP is .376. Ruth is second all-time in OBP, next to Ted Williams. I think somewhere in the .480 range.

Ohtani is outstanding, but he can’t hold a candle to Ruth.

 

[jacksonlamb]

Ohtani and Ruth are both freaks of nature in baseball history, yes.

 

[CrusaderFrank]

Ohtani continues to fill up the record books. He's the only player in MLB history to pitch and lead off with a home run in the same game. And he's done it twice.

I bet he's Ruth's grandson

 

[Harry Dresden]

Ohtani’s career batting average is .281. Ruth batted .342.

Ohtani’s OBP is .376. Ruth is second all-time in OBP, next to Ted Williams. I think somewhere in the .480 range.

Ohtani is outstanding, but he can’t hold a candle to Ruth.

if ruth played in another decade like the 30's or today he would not be so dominate....

 

[jacksonlamb]

if ruth played in another decade like the 30's or today he would not be so dominate....

Good point, Harry Dryden. The relief pitching now is far superior, but Ruth still would dominate Ohtani's numbers, if what we are seeing now is a fair example of what Ohtani can do.

Ruth won almost a 100 games, while Ohtani is years away from that number.

Rutha threw a 1.75 ERA one year.

Time will tell, but both forces of nature in their eras.

 

[Harry Dresden]

Good point, Harry Dryden. The relief pitching now is far superior, but Ruth still would dominate Ohtani's numbers, if what we are seeing now is a fair example of what Ohtani can do.

Ruth won almost a 100 games, while Ohtani is years away from that number.

Rutha threw a 1.75 ERA one year.

Time will tell, but both forces of nature in their eras.

pitchers in the dead ball era had a distinct advantage over the hitters....deadball numbers should not be compared to anything after 1920....

 

[jacksonlamb]

pitchers in the dead ball era had a distinct advantage over the hitters....deadball numbers should not be compared to anything after 1920....

Disagree but good to think about

 

[MarathonMike]

Nor has Otani had to hit balls turned to mush by opposing pitchers. I wonder what Ruth could have done in this era?

Oh come on. Ruth was a beast for his time, but he was seeing 85 mph "fast balls" at best.

 

[westwall]

Oh come on. Ruth was a beast for his time, but he was seeing 85 mph "fast balls" at best.

And he still swatted them out of the ballpark.

 

[jacksonlamb]

Oh come on. Ruth was a beast for his time, but he was seeing 85 mph "fast balls" at best.

Smoky Joe Wood, Walter Johnson? You don't know baseball.