Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has taken the sports world by storm in recent years. Not only is he viewed by most as the best player in Major League Baseball, he has become one of the best athletes in any sport.
Ohtani, known for his ability at the plate, is also an All-Star level pitcher. He can do it all.
Last season with the Dodgers, Ohtani hit 54 home runs to go along with 130 RBI and a slash line of .310/.390/.646. Not only did he put up those big numbers, he also stole 59 bases and was only caught on four occasions.
At 30 years old, Ohtani just continues to get better.
In the first two games of the 2025 MLB season, Ohtani returned to Japan. He led the Dodgers against the Chicago Cubs in the two-game series. Los Angeles ended up winning both outings.
Colin Cowherd, one of the most popular sports analysts in the business, did not hold back with his new take about Ohtani.
During a segment on his show, “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” Cowherd made the very bold statement that Ohtani is the best athlete in America.
“Man, is there anybody in sports right now that meets the moment like Shohei? It is very Messi, and MJ, and Tiger in his prime, Steph and LeBron,” Cowherd started off.
“Dude meets the moment. He’s a leadoff hitter. Why? Because he’s so fast. He’s so fast, they bat him leadoff. You can put him anywhere you want. And he can be an all-star pitcher. Mahomes can’t play linebacker. Ovechkin’s not a goalie. What you’re seeing now is making Bryce Harper and Aaron Judge feel small,” Cowherd said.
“You get no ego. With Ohtani. I don’t know who’s stopping this freight train. They should change MLB The Show to MLB Shohei,” he said. “Because it feels like a video game. Just think of the nerves and the electricity playing in Tokyo for Shohei. Yesterday, a couple of hits. Today, the home run. Completely rises to the moment. Babe Ruth didn’t run like this. This is the best athlete in America. There’s nothing like him.”
Ohtani hit a home run to go along with an RBI, two walks, and three hits in eight at-bats during the Tokyo series.