Dusty Baker’s illustrious baseball career has exposed him to many legends. He spent his playing career alongside a host of baseball legends like Hank Aaron and has managed icons like Barry Bonds, Joey Votto, and Bryce Harper. Dusty Baker has seen it all with a career spanning over three decades. However, one player seemed to have captured Baker’s admiration above all others.

Shohei Ohtani,the talented Japanese, has caught the eye of one of the most respected coaches in the league. Ahead of the All-Star game, the Houston Astros manager heaped a ton of praise on Ohtani, who has been in some of the best forms of late. 

Dusty Baker’s high praise for Shohei Ohtani

Amidst the highly anticipated All-Star Game, Ben Verlander, an MLB analyst and former player, mentioned in his tweet about Dusty Baker’s profound words for Shohei Ohtani. A part of Verlander’s tweet stated, “He’s the most talented player I’ve ever seen in baseball.” He further added his opinion of the Baker’s statement.

He continued the tweet and said, “When coming from a guy like Dusty who has played with or managed guys like Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds just to name a few. That’s quite the statement.”

According to a Fox Sports report, the further praising words of Dusty were, “I’ve seen some great players, but I mean none that can both run like the wind, throw a hundred miles an hour and hit as well as anybody in the game.” Furthermore, Barker also highlighted the Japanese’s behavior.

He said, “He’s probably one of the most polite, most honorable opponents that we face.” A few days back, Sho-time received a similar praise from a retired NFL superstar JJ Watts.

JJ Watts celebrates Shohei Ohtani

Ohtani has been in some dominant form this season. The Unicorn is leading the league with 32 home runs with an average of over 0.300. Like Dusty Baker, Ohtani has a new fan in retired NFL Defense, JJ Watts.

The NFL superstar recently posted a picture on his social media that showed a kid in Othani’s famous number 17 jersey and a baseball bat, which the Japanese later reshared on his own Instagram story.

Read more: Shohei Ohtani Flexes a Special Gift From $4.8 Billion Worth Sponsor Just Days After Enjoying Special Treatment Back Home

With his unparalleled talents, Shohei Ohtani continues to captivate the baseball world. And Dusty Baker’s and JJ Watts’ praising statements only strengthens the fact that the Japanese phenom is leaving his mark, both on and off the pitch.

Watch this story: Yankees’ Ace Outshines Ohtani: Pitching Legend Reigns Supreme,Tops MLB Hurler Rankings Mid-season