In the grand theater of athletics, some athletes leave an impact that generations remember, and one such name is LeBron James. No matter which corner of the world you are in or what sports you like, James’ greatness is known to all. But, in the realm of baseball, a name is shining through all the way from Japan to Dodgerland. Yes, you got it right! It’s Shohei Ohtani—a legacy in the making.

The Los Angeles Dodgers‘ two-way star’s story is nothing short of cinematic. He has always exceeded expectations, finishing 2024 with 54 homers and 59 stolen bases. In the same year of 2024, he reached a historic milestone, becoming the first player in MLB history to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. And this season? Oh, he just picked up from where he left off. Ranking third in the league, he is batting .304 with 12 home runs, 20 RBIs, and an OPS of 1.063 as of mid-May. And on his bobblehead night, it truly was epic! He hit two homers and drove in six runs, guiding the Dodgers to a 19-2 triumph over the Oakland Athletics.

The aura is so strong that he even lets fans change their sides in the mid-game. Did you forget the game against the Marlins, where a fan tossed the Marlins jersey and matched his steps with Ohtani? The Ohtani effect! These feats and incidents never go unnoticed in any sport. In a recent interview with Fox Sports, Colin Cowherd drew a comparison between Ohtani, Tiger, and James. He asked Roberts how it feels to have such great players in the locker room. His reply carried the absolute truth.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts underlined Ohtani’s unmatched influence. He said, “Colin, I agree. It’s just like, you know, Tiger, what he did. You know, LeBron, the expectations, and you can probably say Michael, but there is not many people. And now you are talking about Shohei on a global scale, and he is really the only player I have seen that’s moved the needle with baseball.”

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Ohtani is following a similar route in baseball. He is a force actively molding the future of the game, not merely a player at the MVP level. The collective cheers when he steps up to the plate, and the fear in the eyes of the pitcher when pitching to him define his effect on the game. Yes, there are other players like Aaron Judge who are also doing well with the bat for the Yankees. But is it at Ohtani’s level? It’s a little hard to say.

But Ohtani is defying odds with his worldwide popularity and unmatched two-way skills. He is taking baseball to new places and bringing a younger, more diverse crowd. Roberts knows he is a special player, and when compared with Barry Bonds, he didn’t hold back his thoughts. He said, “Between him and Barry Bonds, they’re the two best players I’ve ever seen. I played with Barry. But what Shohei does in the clutch, I’ve never seen anything like what he does in the clutch.”

The way Ohtani plays on the field captivates players and fans. His consistently impressive performances have not only improved the Dodgers’ play but also rekindled worldwide interest in baseball.

Shohei Ohtani’s power surge on bobblehead night

Ohtani’s most recent showing on his bobblehead night further confirmed his position among the most exciting players in baseball. Ohtani hit two home runs and drove in six runs in the Dodgers’ 19-2 demolition of the Athletics, his first multi-homer game of the season. This performance not only tied him for the major league lead in home runs but also highlighted his steady capacity to rise to the occasion, particularly on nights meant to praise him.

Ohtani’s skill still amazes teammates and coaches. Max Muncy, the third baseman, said, “It doesn’t have to be his bobblehead night. That’s kind of just every night. He’s incredible. It’s really, really fun to be on the same field with him. Every day I kind of expect something crazy, and he seems to do it.”

Manager Dave Roberts agreed, saying, “There’s not many more superlatives you can use for Shohei. He’s just playing really good baseball. We saw it all last year, so he’s sort of just doing what Shohei does, which is amazingly not amazing anymore, I guess.”

It goes unsaid that Ohtani’s influence goes beyond his on-field numbers. His performances have always attracted interest and enthusiasm. Therefore, he is a major draw for fans and helps to raise the popularity of the game worldwide. That is precisely what Roberts said in that interview: Ohtani is the player to move the needle in baseball.

#17’s performances are eagerly awaited, with two more bobblehead nights planned for the season. Fans and the baseball community at large watch avidly as the Dodgers gain from his outstanding efforts, seeing a player who not only fulfills but sometimes surpasses the high standards placed before him.