Baseball debates range from generation to generation, forever measuring one legend against another. Shohei Ohtani, a modern wonder, now inspires fevered talk about Barry Bonds, a hitting god. Ohtani’s two-way brilliance reshapes how we see greatness. And his recent clutch performances have fueled a fiery comparison. An MLB insider’s surprising claim has only added more gasoline to this captivating talk.
Shotime has been electrifying for the Los Angeles Dodgers once again this season. He hit a go-ahead three-run homer against Arizona on May 9, his 12th of the season. The ball flew an impressive 426 feet. Through mid-May, Ohtani led the NL with 44 runs. He boasted a .308 average, .410 OBP, and a stellar .641 slugging percentage. Entering Tuesday, his OPS was a staggering 1.051, a clear indicator of his overall offensive greatness this season.
Even with Ohtani’s monster stats, MLB insider Ben Verlander offered a shocking take on his “Flippin’ Bats” podcast. “Even with all these stolen bases and these numbers, I don’t believe Shohei is in the same category as Barry Bonds,” Verlander stated firmly. “Barry Bonds is the greatest hitter of all time, and I don’t know if we’ll ever see that passed.”
He even suggested Aaron Judge might get into the Bonds discussion if his current form lasts a few more years.
Yet Verlander did pinpoint one key difference, and he echoed what Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I do believe what separates him is the clutch factor,” Verlander explained. “Shohei gets to show how clutch he is. And you heard it from Dave Roberts’ mouth.”
Roberts, who played with Bonds, had declared, “What Shohei does in the clutch — I’ve never seen anything like what he does in the clutch.” That is just another tip in the discussion.
Bonds vs. Ohtani: A statistical showdown
Based on their regular-season numbers, it’s clear Barry Bonds’ dominance is undeniable. Bonds completed his 22-season career with 762 home runs and a .444 on-base percentage. His .607 slugging percentage and 1.051 OPS are mythical. And Ohtani? In his eighth Major League Baseball season, he has a lifetime .283 average and .951 OPS.
While elite, these numbers trail Bonds’ overall career marks, especially his astounding peak.
And as expected, the two players have collected numerous accolades. Bonds hold the record with the most MVPs (seven) and Silver Sluggers (12). Ohtani already has three MVPs and three Silver Sluggers. Ohtani also has a one-of-a-kind 50 HR/50 SB season. And Bonds is the only member of the 500 HR/500 SB club. But with all his individual greatness, Barry Bonds never won a World Series championship.
That World Series title is where Ohtani’s clutch credentials come in handy. He played an important role in the Dodgers’ 2024 World Series triumph.
Bonds, despite a .936 OPS in his playoff career, had mixed success in seven playoff appearances. Dave Roberts, Ohtani’s manager and Bonds’ ex-teammate, emphasized this, saying, “Between him and Barry Bonds, they’re the two best players I’ve ever seen. But what Shohei does in the clutch…I’ve never seen anything like it.”
So, what does the controversial Home Run King himself think of Ohtani? Ohtani is a “complete player,” Barry Bonds said, because of his “outstanding” pitching and hitting. But Bonds argued the game has changed. “Ohtani is not gonna hit two home runs without seeing one go right here [at his head] in my generation,” Bonds remarked. He suggested his era was more physically intimidating for hitters, complicating direct comparisons.
The Ohtani-Bonds debate will continue as Shotime authors more incredible moments. And the Los Angeles Dodgers are certainly giving him a winning platform. Through about mid-May 2025, the Dodgers lead the NL West with an excellent 27-14 mark. Their powerful offense is averaging 5.56 runs per game, supporting Ohtani’s heroics.
Ultimately, whether Ohtani surpasses Bonds is subjective, but the conversation itself cements his legendary status.
The post Shohei Ohtani’s Clutch Heroics Ignite Barry Bonds Comparisons as MLB Insider Makes Surprising Claim appeared first on EssentiallySports.
