Shohei Ohtani’s remarkable performance in the 2025 World Series continues to captivate baseball fans and experts alike, highlighting the extraordinary nature of his talents and the unprecedented impact he has on the sport. The Los Angeles Angels star’s unique ability to excel both as a pitcher and a hitter has redefined what it means to be a professional baseball player, challenging long-held assumptions about specialization and athletic limits. His recent exploits, including setting historic records and showcasing incredible resilience, serve as a powerful reminder of how he makes the miraculous seem almost routine.
In Game 3 of the World Series, Ohtani etched his name into the history books by becoming the first player ever to reach base nine times in a single postseason game. This astonishing feat left even his teammates scrambling for the right words to describe him. Freddie Freeman, the Dodgers’ first baseman, chose the word “unicorn” — a metaphor that has become almost synonymous with Ohtani’s otherworldly abilities. Blake Snell, another Dodgers pitcher, expressed a simpler, yet equally profound sentiment: “He’s going to do spectacular things all the time. And it’s just going to be normal for him.” These reactions underscore how Ohtani’s extraordinary skill set is not only unprecedented but also consistently awe-inspiring.
However, Game 4 served as a reminder that even a player as exceptional as Ohtani is human and capable of having an off day. On Tuesday, he allowed more than three runs for the first time since August and went hitless in the Angels’ 6-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, which evened the World Series at two games apiece. This somewhat subdued performance surprised many precisely because low-key outings from Ohtani are so rare. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts admitted that the high expectations placed on Ohtani sometimes verge on the unfair, reflecting the almost fanatical admiration he inspires. “It’s part of being a fan and seeing great things from great players,” Roberts said. “So every time he steps up I expect great things to happen, and maybe unfairly.”
Even in defeat, Ohtani’s prowess was undeniable. He recorded six strikeouts, setting a new record for the most strikeouts by any player in their first three postseason starts with 25—surpassing the previous mark of 20 set by James Paxton in 2019. His dominance was further highlighted by the fact that he induced 15 swings and misses from Toronto’s hitters, resulting in a staggering whiff rate of 42%, the highest among starting pitchers in the 2025 postseason. What makes this achievement even more impressive is that it came just 18 hours after Ohtani made history in Game 3 by becoming the first player in 119 years to hit four extra-base hits in a World Series game. This rapid turnaround from a historic offensive performance to a dominant pitching display perfectly encapsulates the rarity of Ohtani’s talent.
Ohtani’s extraordinary career trajectory is all the more remarkable considering the challenges he has faced. When he signed with the Angels in 2018, many anticipated that his success as a two-way player—excelling both as a pitcher and a hitter—would usher in a new era of similar athletes. Yet, his phenomenal achievements have only underscored how difficult it is to maintain such versatility at the highest level. Injuries have sidelined him for two full pitching seasons due to elbow issues, and the mental demands of consistently competing in both roles are immense. Far from encouraging a wave of two-way players, Ohtani’s example has highlighted the exceptional physical and mental preparation required to succeed, perhaps discouraging others from attempting to emulate him.
Kansas City Royals pitcher Michael Lorenzen, himself a former two-way player with seven career home runs, summed up Ohtani’s impact when he told The Athletic, “[Ohtani] came in and he’s like the Babe Ruth of hitting and pitching. How much value is there in someone who’s just above average at both? I think if that’s proven by someone that it’s really valuable, then a lot more people will do it.” In other words, Ohtani has raised the bar so high that only a player of his caliber could realistically thrive as a two-way star in modern baseball.
Despite his seemingly supernatural talent, Ohtani’s success is not the product of mere natural ability. Before joining the Angels, he confided in Sports Illustrated that the greatest mental