Better than Babe Ruth? Ohtani’s feats make the superstar a legend even among MLB peers

If baseball fans are lucky, Shohei Ohtani’s greatness in batter’s box and maybe even on pitching mound could be on display for at least anor dece.

But in minds of many, 30-year-old is alrey on shortlist of sport’s all-time legends.

Japanese superstar ded to his absurd feats on Thursday, becoming first player in Major League Baseball history to have 50 homers and 50 stolen bases in one season. He hit both marks in grand fashion, with his first three-homer game, his first six-hit game and a franchise and career-record 10 RBIs in Miami.

“re’s definitely arguments that could be me that he’s better than Babe Ruth,” Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo said Friday. “Everybody always talks about Babe Ruth and him being one of greatest baseball players, if not ( greatest) of all-time.

“I think we’re playing with modern-day Babe Ruth here.”

Ohtani is only in his eighth big-league season after playing five years in Japan, but it’s fair to wonder if he’s alrey cemented a plaque in Cooperstown.

He’s overwhelming favorite to win his third Most Valuable Player award this season, according to BetMGM.

“I feel like his pace, I feel like his potential, it’s looking to be a one of best (careers) ever,” Astros outfielder Jason Heyward said. “Of course, we all know as players that he has to continue to play and finish out his career, but I feel like he has potential to do so many more special things and create numbers that, you know, we’ll look back home one day and say we don’t know if anyone will get to those.”

Ohtani could d to his legend in coming weeks when he makes his postseason debut. His Los Angeles Dodgers qualified for October baseball with Thursday’s win and will be among favorites to win World Series. re’s even slim chance he could return to mound during postseason after elbow surgery during offseason.

“We leave it to or people to decide who all-time greats are, but it’s undeniable that what we’re watching is incredibly special.” said Josh Rawitch, president of National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. “People are excited about what y’re seeing and that’s very understandable.”

It was about this time last season that Ohtani’s career hit a major speed bump. two-way star was having a phenomenal season for Los Angeles Angels at plate and on mound when he suffered a torn ligament in his pitching elbow on Aug. 23. That led to second major surgery on his pitching elbow.

But free-spending Dodgers were undeterred by injury in free agency, snagging Ohtani on a $700 million, 10-year deal that was by far richest in MLB history.

It’s safe to say he’s been worth it so far.

Able to focus solely on hitting, Ohtani has produced arguably his best offensive season. He’s batting .294 with 51 homers and 120 RBIs while stealing 51 bases and only getting caught four times.

Some like Angels manager Ron Washington and Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck said y would reserve judgment on Ohtani’s Cooperstown credentials until his career is over. But re’s little doubt he’s trending correct way.

“I like to see full career,” Houck said. “But milestones that he has so far, and a historical season like right now, he’s definitely top player in game right now.”

Said Washington: “Let’s let his career develop and we’ll see where his numbers are. Certainly, if he stays healthy and he’s able to play for length of how long he wants to play, he will be someone that definitely will be considered for Hall of Fame.”

Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker competes with Ohtani in NL West and said it’s easy to respect a guy who works so hard.

“He seems like he goes about his business right way,” Walker said. “And in spotlight that he is, that’s equally impressive, to maintain a level he and continue to execute at level he’s expected to execute at. Huge market. Huge spotlight. And to come out and be as consistent as he is, it’s impressive.”

Astros pitcher Yusei Kikuchi — who is also Japanese — said Ohtani has alrey cemented himself as one of best.

“He’s probably about to win his third MVP and he’s been doing things that no or player has done, being a two-way player and accomplishing 50/50,” Kikuchi said through an interpreter. “So it’s hard for me to judge, but I think he probably qualifies for Hall of Fame.”

For baseball fans who enjoy vanced stats, Ohtani is alrey up to 42.3 WAR for his career, according to baseball-reference.com, which isn’t a crazy number. Most players in Hall of Fame have at least 50-60 WAR.

But uniqueness of Ohtani’s career — particularly his status as probably best two-way player of all time — means he could put down his bat and glove today and likely breeze into Hall.

“It’s hard to say no,” Rangers outfielder Travis Jankowski said. “I know it’s so early. I think he can have average years for rest of his career, and he’s a Hall of Famer. … He’s probably going to win MVP, and to win MVP as a DH, that used to be unheard of, so it’s incredible.”

Rawitch said Ohtani has been “unbelievably generous” with his contributions to Hall of Fame over years and has a great understanding of game’s history. Hall’s upcoming major exhibit debuts next summer and it’s called “Yakyu/Baseball,” exploring intertwined baseball history of Japan and U.S.

It’ll focus on Japanese greats like Ichiro Suzuki, Hideki Matsui and Hideo Nomo, while also looking at American players who have played in Japan.

And, of course, re will be plenty about Ohtani, one of greatest in eir country.

“This guy is transcending game,” Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “He’s special. He’s going to go down as one of best players of all time and he’s not pitching this year. What Shohei has done for game is remarkable and exciting. We need things like that.”