Dude…Shohei Ohtani…DUDE!!!!

If you're a big sports fan, eventually you're going to see greatness by a team, coach, or individual.  It can be over a career, season, week, or even one day.  But you know it when you see it.

On Thursday at Comerica Park in Detroit, you saw it.  And his name is Shohei Ohtani.

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Ohtani had one of the greatest days you can possibly have as a baseball player.  In game 1 of the doubleheader between Shohei's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Detroit Tigers, all he did was throw a complete game one-hit shutout on 111 pitches.  He struck out eight and walked three in the first complete game of his career.  Oh, and the Angels shut out the Tigers 6-0.

His season stats, BTW, as a pitcher are very good.  A 9-5 record with a 3.43 earned run average with 156 strikeouts in 120 2/3 innings pitched.  He also has a 1.07 WHIP (Walks & Hits per Innings Pitched).  Not quite Cy Young Award material, but very, very good.

Now, let's get to game 2 of the doubleheader...

All Shohei (pictured after one of his home runs) did was hit two long home runs, had 3 runs batted in, and led the Angels to an 11-4 thumping of the Tigers.

The two home runs were the 37th and 38th of the season for him.  The three RBI moved him to 80 RBI for the season.  That's tied for second in the majors behind Texas' Adolis Garcia's 84.  And his .298 batting average is very good for a power hitter and good for 11th in the American League.

Ohtani threw a complete game one-hit shutout in one game, AND hit two home runs in the second game...ON THE SAME DAY!!  That is absolutely unheard of.

It's one thing if a pitcher and a separate position player are doing this during a game.  That's impressive in itself.  But when one guy...THE SAME GUY does both in the same day, then you get why Ohtani is being compared to the immortal Babe Ruth.

I've heard baseball analysts gush over Ohtani since he came to the Angels from his home country of Japan.  And I've been a bit skeptical and "c'mon, you being over the top with the compliments.  He can't be as good as the hype."

Well, after yesterday.  I believe the hype.  He has passed his Angels teammate, Mike Trout, as the best player in baseball.

And what a time for Ohtani to have his best year.  He will be a free agent this fall.  And some team will give him $500 million over 8-10 years for his services.  Baseball players are grossly overpaid, IMO.  Almost to a immoral level.  And while I don't think any baseball player should make that kind of money, Ohtani will get it.  And I have no problem with him being the highest-paid player in baseball next season.  What he is doing is truly historic.

Believe the hype, Shohei Ohtani is the real deal.  He's a baaaad man!