Shohei Ohtani’s Guinness World Record: Everything You Need to Know About the MLB Phenom’s Remarkable Feat

In sports, we sometimes come across individuals who defy logic and surpass expectations. These are the players with a difference—a difference in talent, attitude, and performance. And that is what makes them great. These players not only make for memorable moments but also become legends in their own kind. Legends whose stories travel from generation to generation, inspiring countless people and generating endless debates. The LA Angles star Shohei Ohtani is no different.

Shohei Ohtani is a gift that keeps on giving. The ultra-talented Japanese sensation is everything a baseball fan can ask for and more. Owing to impressive performances, the fresh free agent is slated to break the record transfer fee. However, this isn’t even close to the first time that the sought-after star has been in the vicinity of iconic records.

When Shohei Ohtani Overleaped Legendary Babe Ruth

It was the 3rd of October 2021. As the Los Angeles Angels wrapped up their 2021 season against the Seattle Mariners, history was created. The record books were revised, as at the end of the season, Shohei Ohtani had done what no one else could have done.

Over the course of an eventful 2021 season, the two-way phenom recorded an impressive total of 189 strikeouts and scored 46 home runs for this team. During this time, he became the first player in the history of the MLB to score 100+ RBIs, hits, and runs with the bat, while also reaching 100+ innings and recording 100+ strikeouts with the ball in hand. This remarkable feat became a Guinness World Record. Meanwhile, his being the first player ever to start an MLB All-Star game both as a designated hitter, and a pitcher gave him another entry into the Guinness Book of World Records.

Babe Ruth, a legendary figure for the Yankees, renowned for his achievement of hitting 60 home runs in a single season, is often regarded as one of the most fitting comparisons for Ohtani. Drawing a comparison seems reasonable, not based on absolute statistics like home runs, RBIs, or strikeouts, but rather centered around the influence Babe Ruth had on the Yankees during the 1920s and the impact Shohei Ohtani is having on the Angels throughout this current decade.

The day it all started, A revisit to history

The 29-year-old is no stranger to records, as every time he steps onto the field, he seems to make one. Flashback to April 4, 2021. As the LA Angels locked horns against the Chicago White Sox, ‘Shotime’ found himself amid something noteworthy yet again. It was a game that saw Ohtani shift roles.

In the book Sho-time: The Inside Story of Shohei Ohtani and the Greatest Baseball Season Ever Played, author Jeff Fletcher describes the incident. “The Angels forfeited the use of the DH for the first time in their history when they had Ohtani pitching and hitting second for the April 4 game against the White Sox, which was the ESPN Sunday Night Baseball broadcast.”

In what was a good outing for Ohtani as the Angeles beat the White Sox 7-4, Ohtani pitched 4 ⅔ innings with 7 strikeouts and five walks to his name. While smacking a massive home run when returning with the bat in hand. Thus becoming the first pitcher to bat second in a game in over 100 years of baseball history and adding further to his legendary status.

Shohei Ohtani’s journey as a two-way phenom

Born and raised in Mizusawa (now part of Ōshū), Iwate, Japan, Ohtani’s foundational love for the game was nurtured by his father. Later, the talented youngster grew up to be an exceptional high school player and came into the sights of the scouts for the first time. Known at the time for his exceptional fastball and Hideki Matsui-inspired hitting style, Ohtani quickly rose to the ranks in the Japanese game, gaining traction at an early age.

He joined the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in the NPB after being the first pick in the 2012 draft. After his 2013–2017 stint with the Fighters, Ohtani moved to America, joining the likes of the Los Angeles Angels starting in 2018. His journey to becoming a baseball phenomenon is a story of skill and mental toughness. His abilities, both as a pitcher and a batter, have instantly drawn comparisons with the legendary Babe Ruth.

Although there’s almost a century’s gap between Babe Ruth and Ohtani, the Japanese player seems to be cut from the same cloth. His hype has far exceeded that of a generational talent. The 21st century Babe Ruth, as he’s called, probably has once-in-a-century talent. Albeit with a bit of an injury scare.

What’s next for the Japanese Wonder? Will he be able to repeat this feat?

While the 2023 season began well for the star player, it ended with a bit of a bummer. After suffering an UCL tear, the 29-year-old had to undergo Tommy John surgery, his second after the 2018. The injury left him out of action for the rest of the season. While he is expected to return to the plate by the opening day of the next season, his future with the ball seems uncertain, as he is only expected to get back to pitching by 2025. Meanwhile, his free agency has created a situation where the best teams are vying for him at the highest prices.

Read More- These Three Reasons Display Why Shohei Ohtani is the Most Humble Person Alive

Although the seemingly record deal might be shaded due to his injury concerns, what cannot simply be denied is that no team would want to miss out on a potential talent like Shohei Ohtani. Once Ohtani joins a team, it is almost certain that he will continue to perform at his highest level, as he consistently does, and there’s a possibility that he may even surpass his own previous achievements.

Watch the Story: Young Shohei Ohtani’s Journey To Elite Hitting Proving His Little League Coach Wrong