Home/MLB

Shohei Ohtani is a unique specimen of an extraordinary performer on the baseball diamond. Alongside his versatile talent, his consistency makes him a formidable player. He deservingly won the American League MVP Award in 2021. However, in his own words, Ohtani believes that his 2022 season was better than his MVP-winning season in 2021.

The Japanese-born Ohtani has a long list of accolades from his baseball career at the NPB. Now having made his MLB debut in 2018, he has already begun building a Hall Of Fame-worthy legacy. This year, he was in contention to win his second successive league MVP Award. Unfortunately, he lost out to another fierce competitor in Aaron Judge.?

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Having a phenomenal year with the bat, Judge was already the primary contender for the honors. He registered a home run record by overshadowing all-time greats of the sport. Moreover, he also dominated the batting statistics throughout the season. But Ohtani has got no complaints and enjoyed the recently concluded season.

A satisfactory season for Shohei Ohtani?

Trophies aren’t always the accurate marker of progress, and Shohei Ohtani is seemingly a believer in that fact. In a recent interview with MLB Network, when the hosts asked Ohtani whether 2022 was his better year; Ohtani replied through his interpreter, saying, “Well, I definitely think I had a better season in 2022 over 2021. Especially if you just look at the overall season.”

When talking about his season, as a pitcher, the Angels phenom registered an impressive 15-9 win-loss record in 28 games this year. He also inflicted 219 strikeouts at a 2.33 ERA. While as a batter, he smashed 34 home runs. Ohtani also scored 95 RBIs at a 0.273 average from 586 at-bats.?

Read More – Amid Cryptocurrency Troubles, Shohei Ohtani Drops a Bombshell on His Participation in the World Baseball Championship 2022?

Meanwhile, Aaron Judge had a phenomenal season with the bat, smashing a record 62 home runs. He scored 131 RBIs at a 0.311 average from 570 at-bats. Thus, Judge has also become the highest seasonal home run scorer in the American League. Therefore, he deservingly received the decorated honor.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The MLB careers of the two modern-day baseball icons?

Ohtani began playing professional baseball with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham-Fighters in the NPB League in 2013. Following a string of grand performances, he joined MLB with the Los Angeles Angels in 2013. Ohtani has become a two-time MLB All-Star player since then.

Watch This Story – Japanese Two-Way Baseball Star Shohei Ohtani Hits His 100th Major League Homer?

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Judge made his MLB debut with the New York Yankees in 2016. He has become a global representative of baseball at present. Judge is a four-time MLB All-Star player.?

So, do you agree with Shohei Ohtani’s comments? Let us know in the comments section below.