Shohei Ohtani (LA Angels) had a phenomenal June. His 15 home runs in the month sent the United States into a frenzy of excitement, with many proclaiming that it’s not just the post-Baby Ruth era, but the post-Otani era.
Ohtani went 1-for-2 with a home run, a double, two RBIs, two runs scored and two walks while batting second in the lineup against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California (USA) on Monday. His season batting average is .310.
One of his hits was a home run. He drew a walk with the bases loaded in the first inning and was stranded at first base in the third inning. But in the bottom of the sixth inning, with his team trailing 5-1, Ohtani hit a solo shot to right field.
He lined a two-pitch, 84-mph slider down the middle of the plate from Arizona left-hander Tommy Henry for a solo shot. It was 115.1 mph, 493 feet, and a 29-degree launch angle, according to Statcast. His 15 home runs in June alone tied the American League record for most home runs in a single month.
He also became the first 30-homer hitter in the majors this season. It was his third straight 30-homer season. He is seven behind Lewis Roberts (Chicago White Sox, 23).
This is the third consecutive year Ohtani has hit 30 home runs, following 46 in 2021 and 34 in 2022. It’s a first for an Asian major leaguer.
Ohtani’s June has taken the U.S. by surprise.
Earlier, Sports Illustrated (SI) said, “The Babe Ruth and Idoru comparisons are long overdue. Don’t take Ohtani for granted. Ohtani is having the season of Mike Trout (LAA) and Justin Verlander (NYM) combined. He has put an end to the Babe Ruth comparisons by saying, “No one is as good as him.
American data analytics firm Codify Baseball agrees. “Ohtani has hit 30 home runs in three straight seasons and struck out 502 batters. Babe Ruth never struck out more than three batters in a 30-homer season. It’s real,” he said, “and don’t say ‘after Babe Ruth’ anymore. Ohtani is one of a kind,” he said, emphasizing his one-of-a-kind status.바카라
Fans chimed in with praise. “The greatest, purest talent baseball has ever seen,” “There will be a post-Otani future,” “Babe Ruth is the old Otani,” and so on.