IN just two short pitches Shohei Ohtani proved why he is the greatest MLB player of all time.
The LA Dodgers superstar was on the mound for just a minute when he hit a bomb against the New York Mets.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a bomb just two pitches in against the Mets[/caption]
Ohtnai signed a $700m, ten year contract, with the Dodgers at the start of the season[/caption]
It flew off at a staggering 117.8mph during the first at bat of NLCS Game 4 on Thursday night.
A loud New York crowd, booing the Japanese slugger, went deadly silent.
His monster strike flew out into the center field bullpens for a leadoff homer leaving Citi Field in shock.
In a few short seconds, it had shown why the Dodgers had decided to fork out $700 million on a ten year deal for him.
That set the tone for a rousing 10-2 win for the Los Angeles tourists.
And it put them one step from the World Series, taking their game lead to 3-1.
That wasn’t the only moment of Ohtani brilliance, however.
He walked three times in a row next up, forcing the Mets to pull starting pitcher Jose Quintana in the fourth.
He had the Mets bullpen terrified, a rightfully so, he had hit 54 regular season home runs.
And if their outrageous outlay on Ohtani was to help buy their way to another World Series, it looks money well spent.
In 2024, he became the first and only player ever to score 50 homers and steal 50 bases in a season.
A record enough for most to call him the GOAT, but, combined with his Los Angeles Angels spell, it’s a given.
Nobody has ever had the skill, fear factor, and game-changing ability of Ohtani.
All this, and he hasn’t even been able to pitch this season due to surgery.
He’ll be back doing that in 2025, more than likely, to make him the deadliest dual threat the MLB has ever seen.
Oh, and he’s only 30 years old, with more to come.
One Mets fan described him as a “terror” from the stands, and it’s hard to argue that nickname.
The Mets have had an incredible season, with nobody expecting them to be in the NLCS.
But the Dodgers are too good, have too many stars, have spent too much money, and have the greatest player ever.
There’s still hope going into Game 5, but it all looks a step too far.
