The Say Hey Kid’s final goodbye on June 18th has left a void in the baseball world that may never be filled. A five-tool player whose on-field charisma matched his legendary skills, Willie Mays was the consensus pick for the “greatest living ballplayer” until his final breath. Yet, his departure has sparked a fervent debate: who now holds that prestigious mantle? Renowned sportscaster Bob Costas weighed in, suggesting that the torch has been passed to the modern-day marvel, Shohei Ohtani.

Costas, while acknowledging the pre-steroid era Barry Bonds and the exuberant Ken Griffey Jr. as worthy contenders, believes that Ohtani’s unique two-way prowess sets him apart, transcending even the likes of the legendary Babe Ruth.

“Shohei Ohtani is a unicorn in the history of baseball,” Costas declared during a recent episode of The Rich Eisen Show. “We’ve talked about this before… Ruth was a Hall of Fame-level pitcher before he became exclusively a hitter, but he never did them simultaneously at his highest level.” Ohtani, meanwhile, is not only doing both but excelling at a level never seen before in the modern era.

Costas’ argument hinges on Ohtani’s ability to perform feats that even the Sultan of Swat couldn’t match. “Whereas Ohtani… he’s doing something at a high level in modern baseball that nobody has ever done,” Costas emphasized. This sentiment echoes through the baseball community as the Unicorn continues to amaze with his pitching dominance and hitting prowess.

While Mays’ legacy as the “greatest living ballplayer” may be debatable, Costas sees a clear comparison between Mays and Griffey Jr. “Maybe in a way, if you’re looking for a comp for Willie Mays because they were both center fielders and Griffy was a fabulous defensive outfielder… and had two seasons where he hit more than 50 homers… he might have been in his exuberance… That’s kind of comparable to Willie; you could feel his joy of the game, and that transmitted to fans,” his comparison underscoring the importance of not just on-field performance but also the intangible qualities that make a player truly great.

A modern marvel beyond legends and Bonds, Shohei Ohtani’s path to inheriting the Say Hey Kid’s mantle

The debate over the “greatest” is far from settled, and it’s likely to rage on for years to come. However, Costas’ endorsement of Ohtani as the heir to Mays’ throne has ignited a new chapter in this ongoing conversation. As Shohei Ohtani’s resume continues to build, his place among the all-time greats becomes increasingly secure.

When it comes to Bonds, Costas acknowledges his undeniable talent but draws a clear distinction between the pre- and post-steroid eras. He stated, “You could make a case and a good one for the pre-steroid Barry Bonds… There’s such a clear line of demarcation from when he went from being what he was an inner circle elite Hall of Famer on his natural merits, a genuinely great player, one of the greatest of all time, and then became superhuman.”

Costas also emphasizes that Ohtani’s resume is still being written. “His resume is still building, but Shohei Ohtani is a unicorn in the history of baseball,” further hinting that while Ohtani’s current accomplishments are already extraordinary, his potential for future greatness is limitless.

The “Say Hey Kid” may be gone, but his legacy lives on in the hearts of baseball fans everywhere. And as Ohtani continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible on the diamond, he ensures that the spirit of Willie Mays will never be forgotten.

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