Having an impactful rookie year as a baseball player elevates them to a different level. Even so, most legends from the hallowed MLB empire probably don’t compare to this century’s most impressive two-way star. Considered the best player in the sport by many, Shohei Ohtani is a regular record-breaker. And it all started in 2018.

The Japanese phenom’s exceptional form on both sides of the ball has earned him much recognition and many awards throughout his six-year major league career. One such honor from his rookie year proved to be similar to that of one of his idols—a certain legendary pitcher belonging to his home country.

Shohei Ohtani and his connection to one of the greatest Japanese pitchers

Belonging to the small castle town of Mizusawa in Japan, Shohei Ohtani loved being on the diamond growing up. The yakyu shonen ultimately stepped into the major leagues in 2018, catching fan attention with his stunning two-way plays. Winning the Rookie of the Month award came as no surprise for one of the most highly touted players from the Land of the Rising Sun. He had four homers with a .341 BA and .383 OBP and also struck out 26 across 20.5 innings that included four starting pitches.

Another such name, and one of Shotime’s idols, played for the San Diego Padres. Yu Darvish, Ohtani’s Japanese pitching idol, received the same honor in his rookie year. And that is a fact that Shohei Ohtani holds very close to his heart. “Although I’ve only just begun, it’s great to get off to a good start,” Ohtani told Kyodo News, per Jay Paris and Mark Langston’s Shohei Ohtani: The Amazing Story of Baseball’s Two-Way Japanese Superstar.

Shohei Ohtani remains the myth of the century

Mike Scioscia, a prominent MLB coach and manager, once reflected on how delightful it is to watch Sho-Time in play. “One thing just in watching Shohei is you see that his talent is real,” he mused. Ohtani’s current rivals and teammates couldn’t agree more. The captain and the players of a certain bigshot team consider Ohtani an inspiration. His playstyle inspires them to improve their own performances on the diamond.

Read More: Shohei Ohtani Shadows Records Held by Previous MVPs as Superb MLB Form Continues

Shohei Ohtani remains the ever-perfect golden boy of baseball, all set to leave his imprint on generations of baseball fans. We hope to see him breaking new records for the next generation of sluggers to challenge. May all the lights be on you, Unicorn!

Watch This Story: Young Shohei Ohtani’s Journey To Elite Hitting: Proving His Little League Coach Wrong