ESPN Analyst Calls Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani ‘Most Remarkable’ Player Ever

Shohei Ohtani became the sixth member of the 40-40 club in spectacular fashion on Friday night.

Could 50-50 be next?

Reporters, executives, players, coaches, and fans all know that Ohtani is one of the best to ever play the game. What he is doing as a designated hitter is unheard of.

ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian joined The Dan Patrick Show on Tuesday and detailed why Ohtani is the “most remarkable player” that he has ever seen. Especially, as he nears unchartered territory with a possible 45-45 or even a 50-50 season which has never been done before.

“Everything is unchartered territory when it comes to this guy,” said Kurkjian, who’s in his fifth decade reporting about baseball. “He is the most remarkable player we’ve ever seen.

“I got asked about two weeks ago if I thought he’d get to 40-40. I thought it was a joke. I thought it was a trick question. Of course, he’s going to get to 40-40 and yes, he’s got a shot to get to 50-50.

“I know he’s not pitching. I know he doesn’t play the field but it is difficult to just be a designated hitter. You’re not playing in the field, you’re not pitching, and yet, he hasn’t lost a beat. Not only has he not lost a beat, he’s been better than he has in the past and that is really, really saying something.”

When it comes to the 40-40 club, it also has some tainted history. Texas’ Alex Rodriguez, San Francisco’s Barry Bonds, and Oakland’s Jose Canseco all took performance-enhancing drugs during their playing careers and are three of the five who have accomplished the rare feat.

Alfonso Soriano and Ronald Acuña Jr. are the others.

For Bonds, it is a little different — his usage of PEDs was before he became “the greatest slugger we’ve ever seen.”

“He did that, I believe before he became the greatest slugger we’ve ever seen,” said Kurkjian. “I think he had already done it. He had already done a lot of things before the problems began.”

Photo Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports

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