When Shohei Ohtani was coming in this season, expectations were less. After all, he was recovering from an injury and couldn’t pitch. But oh my, he changed the tables quickly. He let his bat do the talking and joined the 40-40 club quicker than anyone in the club! And with many games remaining, everyone knew 50-50 was the next goal. Every game was nail-biting and everyone was thinking the same thing – will Ohtani make it to this huge goal? With him slashing all records, comparisons to Babe Ruth, Alex Rodriguez, and more baseball greats started making the rounds. Ohtani, humble as ever, kept his head only on the goal!

At the game against the Los Angeles Angels, when the crowd thought that the Angels were going to sign an intention to walk to Ohtani, they didn’t! The manager said he respected the Japanese icon too much to be a thorn in his way. And then, in style, Shohei Ohtani finally inaugurated the 50/50 club. Renowned broadcaster Colin Cowherd echoed what many have started to believe—Shohei Ohtani might just be better than Babe Ruth!

Shohei Ohtani, the modern-day Babe Ruth?

Being compared to Babe Ruth is huge. He is almost like the Michael Jordon equivalent in baseball! Ruth’s history with the sport is so great that even coming close to it is a big deal. But it seems like Ohtani might have been rewriting the rulebook. On Thursday, Ohtani became the first player to record 50 home runs and stolen bases in a single season. After that, Colin Cowherd had seen enough and was ready to declare Shohei Ohtani as a better player than the legendary Babe Ruth.

Cowherd, in his show without flinching, said, “I admit I was wrong. He’s significantly better than Babe Ruth.” And well, he isn’t far-fetched to say so. Ohtani has hit both the 50-50 in grand fashion, with his first three-homer game, first six-hit game, and a franchise and career record 10 RBIs in Miami!

Plus, not just Cowherd, but even other baseball players like Brandon Nimmo. The Mets outfield was all gaga over Ohtani. Nimmo said, “Everybody always talks about Babe Ruth and him being one of the greatest baseball players, if not (the greatest) of all time. I think we’re playing with the modern-day Babe Ruth here.” Well, Ohtani also didn’t stop at 50 home runs and now the number stands at 52—and that speaks volumes.

Jose Canseco saw the potential in Shohei Ohtani back in 2018!

Everyone knew Shohei Ohtani had potential. After all, why else would the Los Angeles Dodgers invest so heavily in him? Ohtani’s contract still stands as the most expensive. This season, however, not everyone had high hopes, given that he was still recovering and still is and wasn’t allowed to pitch just to bat. But, it seems like Jose Canseco caught his potential way before!

Canseco recalled a moment in 2018 when he saw a rookie, Shohei Ohtani, and it was then he was convinced that the Japanese star had what it took to be the next 40-40 club! Canseco said to Sportsnet, “The first thing I thought is… This guy is going to be our next 40-40 guy.” According to Canseco, Ohtani’s power at the plate and the long strides he made on the bases immediately caught his attention. But even he didn’t think Ohtani could end up doing what he did—making it 50-50! 

However, the veteran also brought to light that the modern MLB rules may have made Ohtani’s feat, a little easier. With the introduction of larger bases and restrictions on pickoff attempts, things are better today, according to Jose Canseco. Well, nevertheless Shohei Otani must be over the moon because it’s not every day that the star who inaugurated the 40-40 club, is all praise for you!  

So what do you think? Do you agree that maybe Ohtani is the modern-day Babe Ruth? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.