"If Shohei Ohtani stopped playing right now, he'd get Hall of Fame consideration" – MLB sportscaster offers high praise for Japanese phenom
On Saturday, MLB sportscaster Bob Costas and analysts Brian Kenny and Mike Lowell discussed Shohei Ohtani's brilliance in the MLB. They also discussed his eligibility, based on his current status, for the Baseball Hall of Fame.
To be included in the Hall of Fame, a player must have played at least 10 years of big league baseball, be retired for at least five years and must be approved by the screening committee.
Ohtani is currently having one of the best individual seasons in the history of the sport, as he became the founding member of the 50-50 club on Thursday. He did so by stealing two bases and hitting three home runs in his team's win over the Miami Marlins. The 30-year-old recorded a hit in each of his six at-bats at LoanDepot Park.
On Saturday's edition of MLB Now, Costas and Lowell talked about how Ohtani has already accomplished enough in his time in the major leagues to be included in the select club.
"Even if there's a marked downturn (in Shohei Ohtani's performance), yeah I think (that he makes the Hall of Fame). You gotta play 10 years, he's played seven, what's gonna stop it?" Costas said. [0:08]
"We thought he was going to be an elite pitcher and a pretty good hitter. It's (He's) been best hitter in the league and a pretty good pitcher. I think if he stopped playing right now, he'd get serious Hall of Fame consideration," Lowell claimed. [0:30]
Ohtani is yet to take to the mound in Dodgers colors as he has been recovering from surgery for a torn Ulnar Collateral Ligament injury.
The injury greatly affects one's pitching motion, but not that of swinging the bat, hence he currently plays as a designated hitter. He is expected to start pitching again at some point in the 2025 season.
Shohei Ohtani up to 52-52 as Dodgers beat Rockies
The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Colorado Rockies 6-4 at Dodger Stadium on Friday, as the Blues opened up their latest series with a win.
After clinching a playoff spot on Thursday, the Dodgers kept up the pursuit of the NL West division title, maintaining their lead over the second-placed San Diego Padres.
Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani continues to accumulate stolen bases and home runs with ruthless efficiency. He hit his 52nd home run and stole his 52nd base of the season in Friday's game.
For the 2024 season, along with the aforementioned homers and stolen bases, the 30-year-old also has a .297 batting average and 122 RBIs.
Next, Shohei Ohtani and co. take on the Rockies again on Saturday, aiming to seal another series victory with a win in front of the home crowd.