Shohei Ohtani has been arguably the best player in Major League Baseball over the past few seasons, but his superstar status appears to have reached new heights since signing a record-setting contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The hype surrounding Ohtani is so great that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is inclined to compare him to the hype that some of the world’s greatest icons have received over the years.
“I’m not around the Beatles,” Roberts said, according to The Beatles’ Bill Shaikin. Los Angeles Times. “I wasn’t around Michael Jordan, and I wasn’t around the Lakers in the ’80s. But I think what we’re about to face is going to be close to that.
“I think it’s good for sports. I think it’s good for baseball. I think it’s good for the Dodgers. We’re getting a lot of eyes. It’s going to be a fun season.”
Jordan remains one of the most important figures in all of sports and is considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all time.
The Chicago Bulls legend was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009 and won six NBA championships, six Finals MVP awards, 10 scoring titles, and five MVP awards during his historic career. , and was selected to the All-Star 14 times.
The 1980s Lakers are viewed in a similar light, winning titles between 1980 and 1988 under the likes of Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy. 5 NBA championships.
The hype surrounding Dodge Blue Grand Valley is so great that ticket sales and prices are soaring to new highs ahead of opening day in 2024.
According to Shaikin, the average StubHub ticket for the Dodgers’ home opener is $533. StubHub has also sold more Dodgers tickets this season than any other team in Major League Baseball (MLB).
Ohtani, 29, is already considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time.
The two-way talent made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018 and was subsequently named the American League Rookie of the Year. Since then, he has won two American League Most Valuable Player Awards, two Silver Slugger Awards and a Major League Player of the Year award.
Ohtani was also a three-time All-Star, winning the AL MVP award for the second time in three seasons during the 2023 season despite missing time with an elbow injury.
The Japanese hit .304/.412/.654 with 44 home runs, 95 RBIs and 20 stolen bases in 135 games. He also posted a 10-5 record on the mound with a 3.14 ERA and a 1.06 ERA with 167 strikeouts in 132 innings in 23 starts.
Ohtani won’t pitch for the Dodgers in 2024 after undergoing elbow surgery, but his star power on the field should be enough to help Los Angeles contend for another World Series title.