Jimmy Higgins
Contributor
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2001
- Messages
- 44,238
- Basic Beliefs
- Calvinistic Atheist
Now certainly, people have a tendency to always think history is happening in front of them. In the case of baseball, there is this guy Shohei Ohtani who pitches and bats. Yes, he is a DH, but he is a starting pitcher, so that can be forgiven. It is admittedly way too early to consider Ohtani the GOAT, which makes this thread clickbait, but the question is, if he continues playing as he is, is Ohtani the best player ever?
I'm not the most knowledgeable in baseball history, but I think Babe Ruth gets a possible nod as best ever, a slugger/pitcher (and a slugger well ahead of his time). Then there is Ted Williams, who had a Hall of Fame career while a WWII veteran! Willie Mays and Hank Aaron are also at the top of the GOAT list. But it hasn't been since Ruth that someone with Ohtani's pedigree has existed. We are talking viable pitcher and a very good batter. In fact, leading the lead in homeruns at the moment. That is multi-generational. Of course, his performance has to survive a couple things: 1) health 2) the massive payday. Ohtani is likely looking at getting paid roughly one US State a year.
So, I was wondering people's thoughts on Ohtani.
I'm not the most knowledgeable in baseball history, but I think Babe Ruth gets a possible nod as best ever, a slugger/pitcher (and a slugger well ahead of his time). Then there is Ted Williams, who had a Hall of Fame career while a WWII veteran! Willie Mays and Hank Aaron are also at the top of the GOAT list. But it hasn't been since Ruth that someone with Ohtani's pedigree has existed. We are talking viable pitcher and a very good batter. In fact, leading the lead in homeruns at the moment. That is multi-generational. Of course, his performance has to survive a couple things: 1) health 2) the massive payday. Ohtani is likely looking at getting paid roughly one US State a year.
So, I was wondering people's thoughts on Ohtani.