Shohei Ohtani’s greatness can’t be overstated sufficient, however one other all-time nice hitter in baseball thinks the sport is a bit simpler for the Los Angeles Dodgers star in comparison with his time in MLB.
Barry Bonds, arguably the best hitter of all time, appeared on the “All The Smoke” podcast the place he shared his perception that ballplayers have it simpler within the batter’s field in comparison with his time within the league from 1986-2007.
“The sport has simply modified,” Bonds mentioned. “The sport is means totally different than it was after I performed. The identical means Michael (Jordan) talks about it or anyone does. Ohtani will not be gonna hit two residence runs with out seeing one go (by his ear) in my era. I do not care what he does. He is not gonna steal two bases with out somebody decapitating his kneecap to sluggish him down. It is a totally different recreation again then.”
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Former MLB participant Barry Bonds appears on within the abilities problem throughout All-Star Saturday Evening forward of the 2025 NBA All Star Sport at Chase Middle. (Kyle Terada-Imagn Photos)
Bonds has a degree relating to intentional pitches thrown up and in on batters to present them a scare – the sport has regressed in that side on the pitcher’s mound.
Nonetheless, Bonds isn’t making an attempt to remove what Ohtani has been capable of accomplish since Ohtani came visiting to the States from Japan.
“The pitching and hitting have been excellent for what he is accomplished,” Bonds mentioned of Ohtani. “Baserunning. He is an entire participant. There isn’t any doubt about the kind of participant he’s and what he is completed in his profession.”
BARRY BONDS, DESPITE COMPLICATED LEGACY, TO BE INDUCTED INTO PIRATES HALL OF FAME
However the level nonetheless stands in Bonds’ eyes: In a recreation the place celebrating residence runs is inspired now as an alternative of frowned upon, Ohtani doesn’t have to fret about retaliation – at the very least not like he would have prior to now.
“They need to be higher than us hitting-wise, as a result of they will hit a house run, throw their bat up within the air, run round, get a taco, come again down and have a limo drive them round,” Bonds mentioned, jokingly. “All these antics that we weren’t allowed to do.
“If I did something like that, I am gonna see a star. I am gonna see a hospital, however I ain’t gonna see baseball that day.”
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani celebrates as he runs the bases for his solo residence run in the course of the ninth inning of a baseball recreation in opposition to the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Washington. The Dodgers received 4-1. (AP Picture/Alex Brandon)
Bonds, in fact, is a polarizing former star throughout the recreation of baseball, proudly owning probably the most residence runs ever, breaking Hank Aaron’s report along with his personal 762 over his illustrious profession.
Regardless of being thought of arguably the best hitter of all time, Bonds stays out of the Baseball Corridor of Fame in Cooperstown, New York as a result of being a central determine in MLB’s steroids scandal.
Bonds was indicted in 2007 on perjury fees in addition to obstruction of justice for allegedly mendacity in entrance of a grand jury throughout the federal government’s investigation into BALCO, a fundamental producer of an undetectable steroid that was working rampant within the league.
The perjury fees have been ultimately dropped, however Bonds was convicted of obstruction of justice in 2011. He needed to struggle till he was exonerated on attraction in 2015.
Throughout that point, Bonds’ 10 years of eligibility on the Corridor of Fame poll didn’t see voters giving him the 75% acceptance price to be an inductee, a few of which stating they wouldn’t vote for him as a result of perception he used PEDs.
San Francisco Giants legend Barry Bonds smiles earlier than the MLB recreation between the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. (Bob Kupbens-Imagn Photos)
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Ohtani was caught up in his personal scandal this previous offseason, although he was the sufferer somewhat than the wrongdoer.
Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was discovered to be stealing hundreds of thousands from the Dodgers star’s checking account to cowl playing losses. Federal prosecutors requested for a 57-month jail sentence whereas additionally asking Mizuhara to pay $16.9 million of restitution to Ohtani and one other $1.1 million to the IRS.
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