Shohei Ohtani delivered one of the greatest performances in baseball history Friday night as he brought the Los Angeles Dodgers back to the World Series.
The Japanese two-way outfielder pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits, and smashed an extraordinary three home runs that combined to travel 1,342 feet on a remarkable night.
Ohtani, who signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers in December 2023, also hit the first home run by a pitcher in major league history just moments after hitting a three-hitter in the first inning.
Friday night’s 5-1 win clinched another National League pennant for the Dodgers and completed a 4-0 sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Ohtani and his teammates will now compete against the Seattle Mariners or Toronto Blue Jays for back-to-back World Series crowns.
Baseball fans watched Ohtani in awe and quickly took to social media to declare that he was better than Babe Ruth, who is widely considered the greatest player to ever play the sport.
Shohei Ohtani had one of the greatest performances in baseball history on Friday night
Ohtani hit a three-run home run against the stunned Milwaukee Brewers
The Japanese two-way sensation also pitched six scoreless innings and allowed just two hits
“Shohei Ohtani with an out-of-the-park home run. His second home run of the night. He’s pitching a shutout too. Babe Ruth,” one fan said.
Another commented, “Shohei Ohtani is a modern-day Babe Ruth.”
A third posted: “There is no reason to have discussions anymore. No one has ever played baseball like Shohei Ohtani.
“No one can or will ever do this again.” It’s the goat.
“I never want to hear about Babe Ruth or Aaron Judge again.” Shohei Ohtani is the greatest person to ever play baseball. a period. “He hits a 3 in the top of the first and hits a HR in the bottom of the first,” another fan said.
Sports analyst Skip Bayless was also impressed by Ohtani’s performance. He posted on The greatest baseball player of all time.
Ruth, who died of throat cancer at age 53, won seven World Series titles and hit 714 home runs during an illustrious career that spanned stints with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.
Starting out as a left-handed pitcher and becoming a slugging outfielder, Ruth played 22 major league seasons before retiring in 1935. In his prime, he hit more home runs than some entire teams, and was known for his flair on and off the field.
Babe Ruth won seven World Series titles and hit 714 home runs during his illustrious career
After hitting a triple in the top of the first inning of Game 4, Ohtani hit the first leadoff homer by a pitcher in major league history off Brewers starter Jose Quintana.
Ohtani followed with a 469-foot blast in the fourth, clearing the pavilion over the stands in left field.
Ohtani added a third solo shot in the seventh inning, becoming the 12th player in major league history to hit three homers in a playoff game. Combined, his three owners traveled 1,342 feet.
“It was really fun on both sides of the ball today,” Ohtani said through his translator after the game.
“As a representative (of the team), I will get this trophy, and let’s get four more wins.”
“Sometimes you have to check yourself and touch it to make sure it’s not just made of steel,” said Freddie Freeman, last season’s World Series MVP.
“Absolutely unbelievable.” The biggest stage, and he goes out and does something like that. It will probably be remembered as the Shohei Ohtani game.
The powerful Dodgers are the first team to win back-to-back pennants since Philadelphia in 2009.
His Dodgers teammates mobbed Ohtani as their fans celebrated their third home run
He was the obvious choice to be crowned MVP of the series after his outrageous performance
Los Angeles is back in the World Series for the fifth time in nine seasons, and will try to become baseball’s first repeat champion since the New York Yankees won three straight World Series from 1998-2000.
“I’ll tell you, before this season started, they said the Dodgers were ruining baseball,” Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts shouted to the crowd during the on-field celebration. “Let’s get four more wins and really destroy baseball!”
After ending a 9-1 rampage during the NFL playoffs with this unique performance by Ohtani, the Dodgers are headed to the 23rd World Series in franchise history, including 14 pennants since moving from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.
Only the Yankees, last year’s opponent, have played more games in the World Series.
Los Angeles will have a week off before the World Series begins next Friday, either in Toronto or at Dodger Stadium against Seattle.
The Mariners beat the Blue Jays 6-2 earlier Friday to take a 3-2 lead in the ALCS, which continues Sunday at Rogers Center.