There are hot takes, and then there are scorched-earth takes that make baseball purists spit out their sunflower seeds. When legends speak, you expect wisdom, not wild swings that miss the plate entirely. But every now and then, someone steps up and delivers a reality check straight to the narrative’s chin. And when it involves names like Shohei Ohtani and Barry Bonds, you know the game just got serious.
If there is one thing that is always happening in sports, it is comparison. But when you start to compare a generational talent to an all-time great, all the eyes in the world will turn to look at the debate. That is exactly what has happened after Dave Roberts compared Shohei Ohtani and Barry Bonds. Roberts said that Bonds is the best hitter, but he has not seen anyone like Shohei Ohtani.
To this claim, baseball legend Chipper Jones did not agree and made his point. He wrote, “May wanna check those gold gloves and stolen base numbers on Bonds…..he was a bit more than ‘just’ a hitter. I hear where ur coming from on Ohtani, but he doesn’t pitch enough and doesn’t play a position on D to be in the convo yet IMO.”
Shohei Ohtani is a legend of the game, and there is no doubt that it is a stretch to call him better than Barry Bonds. Over the 22 years Bonds spent in the MLB, he had a record 762 homers with 1996 RBIs and 514 stolen bases. This is like the benchmark for hitters, and for Shohei Ohtani to be called better than Bonds is a bit too early.
May wanna check those gold gloves and stolen base numbers on Bonds…..he was a bit more than ‘just’ a hitter. I hear where ur coming from on Ohtani, but he doesn’t pitch enough and doesn’t play a position on D to be in the convo yet IMO. https://t.co/fg6F9Kvfdp
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) May 11, 2025
Barry Bonds wasn’t just a slugger—he was a baseball mastermind with unmatched discipline. He stole 514 bases, blending power with speed like few ever could. Eight Gold Gloves proved his defensive excellence in left field. Pitchers feared him, often walking him rather than risk damage. His baseball IQ made him a constant, silent threat.
So, before we crown Ohtani the unicorn king of baseball, let’s pump the brakes a bit. Barry Bonds wasn’t just in the conversation—he was the conversation for over two decades. You can’t replace 762 home runs and 514 stolen bases with vibes and splitters. Greatness isn’t just versatility—it’s domination, and Bonds rewrote the manual on that. Call Shohei Ohtani a marvel, sure—but Bonds was the final boss.
Shohei Ohtani is scary good—And he hasn’t even started pitching yet
Baseball isn’t fair, and 2025 is proving it. Imagine a player so dominant at the plate, opposing pitchers lose sleep, and yet, he’s only doing half his job. The league is witnessing a one-man cheat code, and he hasn’t even touched the mound this season. If you think this is his final form, think again. His name? Shohei Ohtani. And the scary part? He’s just getting started.
Shohei Ohtani continues to dominate the 2025 season with 12 home runs and a .305 batting average. As the reigning MVP, his offensive performance is nothing short of spectacular, showcasing his ability to deliver in clutch situations. Ohtani remains one of baseball’s most exciting talents at the plate.
However, Ohtani has yet to return to pitching in 2025. The Dodgers are purposely delaying his comeback, waiting until after the All-Star break. With Ohtani excelling offensively, the team sees no reason to rush his pitching return, keeping their sights set on his postseason availability.
Manager Dave Roberts compares Ohtani to baseball legend Barry Bonds. His clutch performance is unparalleled, with Roberts saying, “What Shohei does in the clutch, I’ve never seen anything like it.” When Ohtani does return to the mound, he’s expected to be one of the top pitchers in the National League, adding yet another dimension to his game.
When Ohtani returns to the mound, it’ll be game over for the rest of the league. He’s already rewriting the rules of what a player can do, and we’re just witnessing the warm-up. In a sport that prides itself on unpredictability, Shohei Ohtani is the only certainty. Baseball’s unfair advantage has a name, and it’s Ohtani.
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