“Never Thought I’d Be Saying This” – Top MLB Commentator Gives Hot Take On Shohei Ohtani’s Home Run Race With Aaron Judge and Barry Bonds

Shohei Ohtani just keeps getting better. The Japanese phenomenon has taken over the hearts of every baseball fan with his impressive two-way skills. Putting together a historic season, Ohtani is breaking records on both sides of the ball. He’s no stranger to outstanding statistics with both hitting and pitching. And after endless Babe Ruth comparisons, he is now on par to break Aaron Judge and Barry Bonds’ records.

The reigning AL MVP famously broke the AL single-season home run record at 62 last year while Bonds’ status as the Home Run King remains unchallenged. But Sho-time is putting on one of the best shows baseball has seen in recent years, smashing long balls one after another. It even made one San Francisco Giants commentator pick his side over his home team.

Mike Krukow Thinks Shohei Ohtani Will Soon Become Undisputed Home Run King

The Los Angeles Angels recently finished playing the San Francisco Giants and in a huge surprise, ended the series with a win. Ohtani has hit the 40 HR mark and has left even Mark Krukow impressed. The Giants commentator recently discussed his hitting prowess and how he might surpass Bonds and Judge.

“We were talking about it before the game. For years, we’ve felt that 73 home runs in a season — and Bonds got, I forgot, but over 100 times, intentionally, and he still put up 73. I think Ohtani has a chance of breaking that record. And I never thought I’d be saying this,” the broadcaster said.

“For one thing, teams pitch to him. The Giants intentionally walked him once in this series and it was just the 17th time that he has been walked intentionally…actually, the 15th time that he has been walked intentionally. I mean, this is August. With his talent and the fact that are going to pitch to him, I mean, he has a chance.”

READ MORE – ‘The Record Is the Record’- NY Yankees Slugger Aaron Judge Considers Controversial MLB Legend Barry Bonds as True Record Holder

Interestingly, Judge has commented before on the Barry Bonds record and how it’s the most impressive record. Apparently, the New York Yankees captain is also nonchalant about Ohtani beating his numbers. He clearly believes records are meant to be broken. But there is another facet to this competition.

Walk Rate is an Important Factor in HR Record-Breaking Race

Among the list of outstanding records that Barry Bonds has broken, there is also his walk rate. In the annals of MLB history, no player has managed to receive more than 45 intentional walks within a single season.

But per Awful Announcing, for the former Giants player, the numbers are 61 in 2003, 68 in 2002, and 120 in 2004.

In comparison, the tw0-way phenom has a personal record for intentional walks standing at 20. Following Krukow’s remarks, the Giants issued Ohtani his 16th intentional walk of the season and 53rd of his career.

Since the season just passed its halfway mark, there is more than enough time for the Japanese phenom to catch up. Nonetheless, the chase for making history is on!

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