✹The PERENNIAL Shohei Ohtani Thread✹

[jhssketchcards]

Originally Posted by Erick

Do you think Ohtani is a better pitcher or hitter?

Take away his pitching this year. Do you think he would still be the favorite to win MVP at this point?

I think he’s the best 2-way player in baseball history.
I think he’s the best hitter this season in the AL.
I think deserves the AL MVP this season barring some sort of collapse or trade to the NL.
I think IF he were to not pitch he potentially would still contend for an AL MVP IF he moved to OF and not only DH. Many on these boards ragged on Yordan because he’s exclusively a DH. I’m sure many Trout fans including me, don’t like to see posts about him potentially losing greatness because of injuries but as we sit here, Trout is in fact injured, and debate is raised about his legacy being dwindled because of injuries.
Discussions were made about deGrom and his place in baseball history ie top 5 or even some saying possibly the best pitcher the past 30+ years. There was always a “hope he stays healthy” lens those comments were viewed through, and yet here we sit with him out the rest of this season with a 2nd TJ at age 33. Harper is having to move positions because of injury. Acuna missed last part of 2021 because of injury. Injuries happen. Do I want it to happen? Of course not, Ohtani is an amazing, historic talent. I’ve seen him play in person and he’s incredible.
It’s amazing that many few a sense to bash an opinion because it’s contrary to theirs. We see enough of that garbage politically. This hobby is full of many varying opinions and takes, and it can be healthy if both parties can agree to disagree and still be cordial. Unfortunately it seems too often that isn’t the case.


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[BC Hunt]

Originally Posted by Erick

I know the guy I originally quoted won’t answer, but to me it isn’t insane at all. Ohtani really IS that good. I only asked him that because his injury post made absolutely no sense. He brought up him being injured and not being able to pitch like his pitching was the only reason he was going to win MVP this year.

That post was way out of left field and pointless. He can, and would, win MVP with his hitting skills alone. He is legitimately that great.

Exactly....my "insane" comment was stating the obvious....that it's insane that he's the MVP as a hitter alone, and he's also one of the top pitchers in the MLB. Mind boggling.

[SupermanBrandon]

I love made up stats. Especially the ones that people can't agree on how they are made up.

[imbluestreak23]

Just trash takes bro

[cnewby]

Originally Posted by BC Hunt

Exactly....my "insane" comment was stating the obvious....that it's insane that he's the MVP as a hitter alone, and he's also one of the top pitchers in the MLB. Mind boggling.

1st half MVP!!!

[BC Hunt]

Originally Posted by cnewby

1st half MVP!!!

we're beyond half way

[CCPdro]

Shohei does field his position, every five days or so. Though I can’t say I’ve heard too much on how he fares. I wouldn’t think he’s Kaat or Maddux out there, but I guess at this point that wouldn’t shock me either.

[JRX]

Originally Posted by CCPdro

Shohei does field his position, every five days or so. Though I can’t say I’ve heard too much on how he fares. I wouldn’t think he’s Kaat or Maddux out there, but I guess at this point that wouldn’t shock me either.

Didn't he play some OF in Japan as well? One thing to keep in mind is even if say he can't pitch one day, he's going to still make the team a ton of money in advertisements and merchandise.

[PLB9eight]

Originally Posted by JRX

Didn't he play some OF in Japan as well? One thing to keep in mind is even if say he can't pitch one day, he's going to still make the team a ton of money in advertisements and merchandise.

He’s appeared in RF for the Angels I believe.


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[BabaORiley]

Originally Posted by fulltritty

I mean he's dead on the opinions aspect. Anytime someone defends Judge winning over Ohtani last year, they are automatically deemed Judgeheads, asked how Judge pitched, etc. You all act just like the issues in politics right now. If you disagree with something, you are automatically labeled a hater. I guess all of the writers who voted Judge over Ohtani were haters last year too, even though probably the majority of them are the same writers who voted him MVP in 2021 and will again this year.

I explained in all of these arguments last year about the MVP race, that I love what Ohtani is doing and he is exciting for baseball. Judge just had an incredible, historic season carrying a struggling team to the playoffs. I'd rather see him off that dump of a team and on the East Coast somewhere so we all can watch more of him. But I'm a hater because I'm realistic about him not getting the MVP last year, not getting it every year because he hits and pitches, and the fact that at some point, he's going to be like every other baseball player in history and not be able to keep up playing both positions at his current ability due to age issues.

You have me confused with someone else. I 100% believe and believed that Judge should win MVP last year. I don't think I've ever said anything denigrating Judge in any way on these boards. I love that guy and what he brings to baseball. Your "treats these boards like political arguments" theory may be apt but, to quote Dylan "It ain't me, babe".

[Ziggy]

Imagine being so salty about a player you'd fantasize about them showing up on the IL. Yikes.

Saw this one late last night and just had to have it:

[SoCalsFinest]

Originally Posted by JRX

Didn't he play some OF in Japan as well? One thing to keep in mind is even if say he can't pitch one day, he's going to still make the team a ton of money in advertisements and merchandise.

He played in right field for a bit

[cnewby]

Originally Posted by PLB9eight

He’s appeared in RF for the Angels I believe.


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7.1 innings in 2021 for clarification.

[fulltritty]

Originally Posted by CCPdro

Shohei does field his position, every five days or so. Though I can’t say I’ve heard too much on how he fares. I wouldn’t think he’s Kaat or Maddux out there, but I guess at this point that wouldn’t shock me either.

In 2023 his fielding % is .952 which is good for 9th place (there are 6 pitchers tied with 1.000 in 1st place).

[Dhtcardmania]

This logic / argument is totally wrong on all counts. The NUMBER ONE reason why there aren't any two way players in the MLB is because there's no African Blacks / White / Latin American players (at the college level) capable of excelling in both trades (hitting and pitching) at a high level. They may excel at hitting but average at pitching or excel at pitching but average at hitting. Which is why they are pushed / encouraged / coerced into choosing one to excel at because their two way exploits would be a nuisance because they don't have the ability to excel at both.

There are no Japanese players capable of doing both either. The only reason why Shohei Ohtani was allowed to do this in Japan was because he excelled and was great at both. If that wasn't the case, he would have been cancelled / shut down. In other words, if he was average or sucked at pitching, he wouldn't have been allowed to pitch at all. If he sucked at hitting, he wouldn't have been allowed to hit at all.

In the US, it would have been no different. When Shohei moved to the US, they knew how talented he was so they allowed him to hit and pitch. If he started to suck at hitting or simply plain average at best, he would have been demoted as a hitter and forced to pitch only and vice versa. If he sucked at both, he would have been demoted to the minor / triple A league just the same.

So the fact that he has been allowed to both hit and pitch in the Japanese League and the Major League is due to the fact that he excels at both. Not because he's Japanese because if that were the case, there would be many Japanese two way players, but there isn't any.

[TheGZA]

Originally Posted by SupermanBrandon

I love made up stats. Especially the ones that people can't agree on how they are made up.

I'm a simple guy that loves BA, OPS, HR....and ERA, WHIP and K/BB. Still can't wrap my head around one guy checking all of the boxes on my simpleton stat checklist.

[larrygorsuch]

Biggest pick up of my life


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[ThoseBackPages]

i'd say!

[boxbuster7]

woah! where'd you get that beauty?

[Rage]

Originally Posted by jhssketchcards

I think he’s the best 2-way player in baseball history.
I think he’s the best hitter this season in the AL.
I think deserves the AL MVP this season barring some sort of collapse or trade to the NL.
I think IF he were to not pitch he potentially would still contend for an AL MVP IF he moved to OF and not only DH. Many on these boards ragged on Yordan because he’s exclusively a DH. I’m sure many Trout fans including me, don’t like to see posts about him potentially losing greatness because of injuries but as we sit here, Trout is in fact injured, and debate is raised about his legacy being dwindled because of injuries.
Discussions were made about deGrom and his place in baseball history ie top 5 or even some saying possibly the best pitcher the past 30+ years. There was always a “hope he stays healthy” lens those comments were viewed through, and yet here we sit with him out the rest of this season with a 2nd TJ at age 33. Harper is having to move positions because of injury. Acuna missed last part of 2021 because of injury. Injuries happen. Do I want it to happen? Of course not, Ohtani is an amazing, historic talent. I’ve seen him play in person and he’s incredible.
It’s amazing that many few a sense to bash an opinion because it’s contrary to theirs. We see enough of that garbage politically. This hobby is full of many varying opinions and takes, and it can be healthy if both parties can agree to disagree and still be cordial. Unfortunately it seems too often that isn’t the case.


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Who do you collect in baseball? Just curious

[Rage]

Originally Posted by larrygorsuch

Biggest pick up of my life


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Monster!!

[jhssketchcards]

Originally Posted by Rage

Who do you collect in baseball? Just curious

I don’t PC anyone anymore. I used to have a large PC of Biggio and Trout for my son, but he got out of cards a few years back and Trouts sold. Sold my Biggio PC years back. I just open and keep some RCs or nicer stuff. Sell the better stuff. I was in a bad wreck Dec 2021 so buying has slowed and priorities changed. Some amazing cards posted on these boards so I enjoy what others collect. Best cards I have are 2 Acuna PSA 10 US250s. I have a 15 yr old who collects soccer so we buy some here and there.


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[Rooftop]

Picked up a couple 2019 Topps 3d’s..

Only around 500 made

[Kennesawsports]

Hope many of you come by Booth 954 in Chicago. I will have a very good selection of Ohtani Cards.....Plenty of Rookies, low serial numbered cards /50/25/10 and some 1/1s, Jumbos /49 and /10......

[Rage]

Originally Posted by Kennesawsports

Hope many of you come by Booth 954 in Chicago. I will have a very good selection of Ohtani Cards.....Plenty of Rookies, low serial numbered cards /50/25/10 and some 1/1s, Jumbos /49 and /10......

Don't tempt us with a good time!