Yankees Broadcaster Says Aaron Judge is Better Than Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani
The Los Angeles Dodgers saw Shohei Ohtani do things no baseball player has ever done during his first season with the ball club.
After winning two American League MVP awards with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani not only won a National League MVP in his inaugural season with the Dodgers, but became the first player to hit over 50 home runs and steal 50 or more bases in the same season.
He is also about to further his baseball legend by preparing to go back to pitching in 2025 after such an absurd offensive performance last season. He is a career 3.01 ERA pitcher with the Angels as he took off 2024 recovering from a UCL surgery in his elbow.
It’s not fair to compare anyone to the kind of talent Ohtani possess, but New York Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay vehemently argued MLB Network’s Top 100 Players Right Now list putting Ohtani at No. 1.
Kay believes that Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is better than the National League MVP.
“You tell me, you tell me … how is Ohtani better than Judge?” Kay asked in a 10-minute rant.
“On what planet can you say that Ohtani is better than Judge? I don’t understand it,” Kay exclaimed. “Are you projecting in 2025 that you think Ohtani is going to go back to being a dominant pitcher?”
Kay noted the most striking difference between Ohtani and Judge — that Judge has never pitched in MLB — but attempted to use this in an argument against Ohtani.
“He hasn’t pitched in 18 months. How do you know what type of pitcher he’s going to be when he comes back?” Kay asked. “And how do you know when he’s going to come back?”
Judge debuted in MLB in 2016 at 24 years old while Ohtani came over from Japan in 2018 at 23.
Judge has six All-Star appearances to Ohtani’s four, but only two MVP awards to Ohtani’s three. Not to mention, two of those MVP honors for Ohtani came in the American League, beating out Judge in 2021 and 2023.
In 2024, Judge had a higher WAR, more home runs, more RBIs, and a better slash line, but Ohtani had him beat in stolen bases, hits, and postseason batting average.
In fact, Ohtani’s .230 average in October compared to Judge’s abysmal .184 mark helped him get one more achievement Judge hasn’t ever earned: A World Series ring.
While it could be fair to argue Judge is a more dominant hitter, Ohtani’s all-around game — as well as his two-way capabilities — make him by far the best player in the league.
Photo Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
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That’s a ridiculous comparison. Judge is excellent, but NOBODY is Ohtani. It’s not about “maybe’s” and “when’s”, it’s about now. Ohtani was better than Judge last year.
The Yankees, their announcers, their fans, have a serious inferiority complex. They are not used to someone else being on top of the baseball world. It’s like they can’t comprehend that there is a new King in town.
And speaking of king, The King Source is trying to say how massively overrated the Dodgers’ starting staff is. According to them, everyone is a huge question mark. If we are talking about health, sure, can’t deny the Dodgers have trouble keeping SP’s healthy. But as far as talent goes? It’s undeniable. They are trying to say the Dodgers don’t even have a Top 5 rotation. Of course the Yankees are No. 1 for them. I can’t recall the exact order, but they have San Diego, Seattle, Philly and 1 other team in there.
You’re delusional Ohtani has only played 2 of his 7 seasons not on the IL..spare us the pitching thing, Judge isn’t a pitcher..and Judge hit 30 points higher..but most important Judge higher WAR..debate over
“While it could be fair to argue Judge is a more dominant hitter..” Ha! Not last year. Ohtani clearly out performed Judge and it wasn’t even close. When was the last time Judge hit 50 (54)home runs and stole 50 (59) bases in the same year? Never would be the correct answer. According to Reddit, “With just three games left in the season, (2024) Aaron Judge needs only two homers and [u]50 more stolen bases[/u] to become baseball’s first 60-60 club member.” That was really funny. The most stolen bases Judge has ever had in a season is 16 in 2022. In his nine years he has averaged 5.8. I Don’t think he is any threat to Ohtani’s 50-50 club membership. As the parody song goes, “The Yankees Suck, the Yankees Suck, the Yankees really suck!” And so does their whining announcer and a lot of their whining fans… Now go away you silly Yankee fan “before I have to taunt you a second time…”
Spare us the pitching thing? ? That’d be an idiotic way to compare. The question wasn’t who was a better hitter, the question was who was a better player. Ohtani is an elite hitter, base runner and pitcher. Judge is a monster, don’t get me wrong, but the comparison of who was the better player isn’t even really that close
Yap, yap, yap. I wonder if he even believes what he says or if he’s just making noise to stir people up. Which he did and even out to the west coast.
Silly Dodger fans ..you can give your opinions until hell freezes over, but don’t add “World Series”, Ohtani went 2 for 19..Judge hit 30 points higher in BA all year, more HR but the only stat that matters to every baseball fan with a brain stem is WAR. GAME..SET..MATCH JUDGE
Whine with that cheese, tommy boy? Judge is great, but so are many other players, including Ohtani. Apparently and obviously to anyone with a “brain stem”, it isn’t “game set match” except in your mind in favor of Judge because the people who created that list, the researchers and analysts at MLB Network, selected Ohtani. Not the fans here. Whine to MLB Network if you don’t agree because no one here has a say in it. Judge finished 3rd last year. And the stats you mentioned are certainly benefited by his batting position lineup. Ohtani was leadoff for much of the year and that certainly changes the dynamic at least a little.
Oh, but hey, forgot to acknowledge the amazing Judge for that little “drop” in the 5th inning of game 5. Thanks again! Buwhahahahahahahahaha!
Just like a Yankee fan… Keep looking for “A” stat that justifies your rant while a whole forest of stats surround you and say otherwise… And by the way WE BEAT YOU IN THE WORLD SERIES or have you already forgotten?
Ohtani was hurt that even required surgery. Did you watch the WORLD SERIES at all?
Is it really smart, necessary or realistic to compare players? Excellent players are excellent players and we are fortunate to be able enjoy their well earned gifts….
excuse me ……… who is Michael Kay?
I think the list of Best Players took the last 3 years’ performance into account. Judge is a great player but he does not pitch. Ohtani is as good an offensive player as Judge and before last year Ohtani was one of the best starting pitchers in the junior league. In 2024, Ohtani had 411 total bases in batting and 59 stolen bases for a total of 470 bases achieved. Judge had 372 total bases in batting and 10 stolen bases for 382 bases achieved. I am not subtracting caught stealing, I don’t subtract for strikeouts at the plate. Judge did play centerfield but dropping that fly ball in the 5th inning of Game 5 of the World Series sort of negated his entire years’ production.. Ohtani has a dog who delivered the opening pitch at one game. Ohtani brought the Dodgers Yamamoto and Roki. The Dodgers are paying Ohtani $2 million each year so they can sign other good players before they have to pay him from money they invest for the next 8 years and end up with more money in investments than they will need to pay him after his contract is over. He probably brought the Dodgers an additional $100 million in revenue and good will last year above the $2 million they paid him, helping the Dodgers become not just the Los Angeles Dodgers but also the Japan Dodgers. Aaron Judge is draining the Yankees’ treasury of $40 million each year for 9 years. Judge could not help the Yankees keep Juan Soto and I don’t think he has a dog. But he is a great offensive player.