In a Collision of Worlds Baseball Star Shohei Ohtani Draws From Michael Phelps’ for a Play Worth a Place in History

Japanese baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani is going through a tough time. His recent right-hand injury has healed completely, but the discomfort is still there. The middle finger on his right hand had a cracked nail that later developed into an angry blister. During the All-Star break, Ohtani took the time to rest and received treatment for his hand injury. Despite the setback, Ohtani remains determined to overcome the discomfort and continue performing at a high level in Major League Baseball.

In a recent match against the New York Yankees, Ohtani showed his resilience by hitting a home run and pitching a strong game. He remained cool throughout the game, leading some spectators to compare him to legendary swimmer Michael Phelps. The great swimmer has always emphasized that any sport is a mental game and that maintaining composure and focus is crucial for success.

Shohei Ohtani remains composed in the face of adversity

The American League MVP dazzled the spectators at the NYY versus LAA game. He did not allow the stress about his future as a free agent to affect his performance on the field. Ohtani hit his 35th home run of the season in the seventh inning. This eventually helped the Los Angeles Angels to tie the game against the New York Yankees on Monday night. Later in the 10th inning, Michael Stefanic hit a single that led the Los Angeles Angels to a 4-3 victory over the Yankees. Before Shohei Ohtani stepped up to the plate, the LAA was losing 3-1 to the New York Yankees. But the great baseball star hit two home runs, tying the game.

Ohtani celebrated the impressive 403-foot blast with a bat flip. The moment instantly went viral on social media, capturing the attention of baseball fans everywhere. Popular social media influencer and former swimmer Kyle Sockwell posted a video of the iconic moment on his Twitter account. He captioned the video, “Shohei Ohtani is the Michael Phelps of baseball”. Phelps has reiterated the importance of mental preparation and focus in his swimming career. Ohtani’s incredible performance and composure in a high-pressure situation showed how similar the two athletes are.

Phelps and Ohtani have a lot in common

Before Shohei Ohtani became a professional baseball player, he actually excelled in swimming. During his school days, he represented Hanamaki Higashi High School in major swimming meets. Ohtani was steered towards baseball by his father. His coach Hiroshi Sasaki still fondly remembers Ohtani as the fastest swimmer on the team. He believes that Ohtani “could have made the Olympics”.

Read More: Is Shohei Ohtani Married? Breaking Down the Two-Way MLB Phenom’s Relationship With Kamalani Dung

Ohtani’s physical build resembles Michael Phelps’ lean waist and broad shoulders. His structure is one of the many reasons for Ohtani’s flexibility on the field. Now that the iconic baseball player is nearing his contract with the LAA, many other clubs are eagerly vying for his signature. Only time will tell where Ohtani will ultimately decide to play, but his exceptional talent and versatility make him a highly sought-after player in the league.

Watch This Story: Fans Outraged as Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps Removed from GOAT List, Twitter Flooded with Criticism