Before I begin, I want to thank Jamie Spencer for allowing me to take his space this week so that I could give my space to Editor Steph. Jamie will be back next week!
Shohei Ohtani is blessed with unbelievable physical skills, stature, and a baseball mind. The 6’ 4” 210 lb. gentleman is as nimble as a cat catching a pigeon on a hot tin roof. This is what has given him an opportunity to become the first 50 home run, 50 steal player in the 200-year history of baseball in our Nation. He has taken that ability and provided the hard work and perseverance to fulfill his potential. is has also included applying his mind when it comes to the game.
Shohei became the first player ever selected to pitch and be a position player in an All-Star Game. He then became the first to be a starting pitcher and hit a home run in an All-Star Game. This exemplifies the turning of that God-given talent into the results that makes him the first to accomplish many things.
There are so many incredible things I could write about to share this, but let’s use last week’s game against the Marlins in which he became the first member of the 50/50 Club. It was the first time he collected six hits, hit three home runs, batted in 10 runs, and made the postseason in his career. You could not have written a script in Hollywood any better.
Did I mention he got thrown out at third, or he would have hit for the cycle? The stealing of his 50th base and getting thrown out at third base showed that nimble as a cat ability as he avoided the tag while performing a perfect slide. Remember, he’s not your prototypical base stealer and lead-off hitter because of his size.
I want to move away from just talking about his records and firsts in what will be remembered as one of the greatest regular seasons ever posted. Shohei signed a $700 million contract to become an LA Dodger before the season. I know most only see the money but think of the pressure that comes along with not only accepting that offer
and doing it in a major market city. The other was fueled by him being a two-way player.
The season didn’t begin as Ohtani or Dodger fans wanted, as he needed elbow surgery, and pitching was not an option in the foreseeable future. I’m sure some players would have taken their paycheck, sat the year out, and rehabbed.
Instead, he worked relentlessly to get back to the game as a designated hitter. While he was committed to accomplishing this, his interpreter, who he considered a friend, decided to drain his bank account of millions. He then went through a media feeding frenzy and was asked to answer questions and accusations about where the money went and if he had some type of addiction, gambling problem, or involvement with organized crime.
This would definitely take your focus away from whatever you were doing, let alone hitting a baseball. Again, Ohtani is simply cut from a different cloth physically, mentally, and in outworking almost all. He somehow blocked out all the noise and made this year happen.
Ohtani’s 2024 statistics: 51 home runs, 34 doubles, 7 triples, 120 RBIs, and 51 stolen bases. It is worth noting that in last week’s 50/50 record-setting game, in his first five at-bats, his five hits, two home runs, and two stolen bases were the first time this happened since 1901. He then homered in his sixth at-bat.
In the interviews I watched following the game, he was happy but humble and thankful to all who helped him. He stated his goals remain the same: help the Dodgers win the World Series by having his best season possible. He presented himself just like you would want your son to do if you were watching. The debate has already begun if is he the greatest player ever. I don’t know if anyone could ever really win that honor.
One thing’s for sure: I would never bet against him. He earns a tip of my Webb Weekly cap with the American flag on the side. I hope he doesn’t send the Phillies packing in the playoffs.
God Bless America.
