Go Tigers!
Yes.
He is a freak of nature in baseball. He is also going to be a starting pitcher. A modern day babe Ruth.
You have to be able to run fast to steal 50 bases in the Big Leagues.
Seems like a stupid question, but is Ohtani really fast or just smart with good timing?
—-/
51 SB only been caught only 4 times
Likely both
Looks like his 3rd MVP (also had a 2nd place finish)
This is his first full season without pitching
He always had nagging injuries From pitching that put him on the DL or cut his previous seasons short
He’s a good pitcher but a great hitter/runner
He’s scheduled to start pitching again next season
I would just use him as a hitter and perhaps a relief pitcher here and there
Not a full time starter
Ohtani is fast, but his baserunning techniques is beyond belief.
BTW he hit his 51st homer in the ninth inning. Three homers, 6 for 6, and 10 RBIs might go down as the greatest single day hitting feat. I’ll have to check Shawn Green’s game back in 2002.
“At 6-feet-4, Ohtani is faster than most players—and certainly faster than most designated hitters. But he lacks the elite speed of Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz, who leads the majors with 62 stolen bases this year.
What Ohtani can do better than almost anyone else is pick his spots. He tends to rack up steals off baseball’s weakest catchers and early in the hitter’s count, when the pitcher is more likely to throw an off-speed pitch. As a result, he’s been thrown out only four times this year.
It’s one area where Ohtani’s pitching background may help. As someone who spends a lot of time thinking about holding baserunners at first—and has allowed only 12 stolen bases in more than 480 career innings—he’s uniquely in tune with how pitchers behave.”
https://www.wsj.com/sports/baseball/shohei-ohtani-50-50-club-85ac0232
Seems like? Really?
“Seems like a stupid question, but is Ohtani really fast or just smart with good timing?”
Not sure. Maybe we can ask his bookie… /s
Smart with good timing.
He’s only been caught four times.
This is the most amazing sports record I have ever seen. The first MLB player to get 50 HRs and 50 stolen bases is a pitcher. Astounding!
I don’t see what the big deal is, that’s only a break even gambling record.
That is impressive.
I wasn’t sure if all the hype about him was just that, but he’s the real deal.
The man is amazing. I don’t even like the Dodgers but watching Shohei is a joy. I hope he can pitch and hit again next year.
He went 6 for 6 with 3 Homeruns, 2 stolen bases and 10 RBIs.