Clayton Kershaw is stunned by Shohei Ohtani’s incredible genius and joins the growing list of MLB greats who are in awe of him.
Over the course of the 2024 season, Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw couldn’t hide his bewilderment at Ohtani’s domination—especially after Ohtani joined the Dodgers from the Angels.
During a May 7 in-game interview, Kershaw reflected:
Kershaw, a future Hall of Famer accustomed to greatness, openly admitted he was baffled—testament to how unique Ohtani is.
Kershaw is far from alone in his admiration. One could compile a hall of fame roster of voices praising Ohtani’s unmatched talent:
No one since Babe Ruth has been elite as both a hitter and a pitcher—and none in the modern era with the velocity, power, and dominance Ohtani displays. His ability to maintain 98+ mph fastballs, record strikeouts, crush 40+ home runs in a season while stealing bases, is truly unheard of
Ohtani overcame not just one, but two major elbow surgeries, returning to the mound after nearly two years off. His command across six or more pitches, with near league-average control after a hiatus, astonished Kershaw and the Dodgers’ coaching staff (SI).
Ohtani’s 6’4″ stature, smooth mechanics, and sheer physical gifts—power, speed, arm strength, bat control—make him a modern athletic marvel. ESPN’s Greg Maddux compared him to Bonds and Ryan—not lightly (Sportsmax). Dusty Baker’s “run like a deer” remark captures this.
Ohtani doesn’t just crush balls or rack up Ks—he also electrifies the clubhouse. Reddit user r/Dodgers shared locker room overhears:
Another Reddit commenter summarized his peers’ sentiments:
Ohtani isn’t just revered for what he does—but how he does it. Dodgers pitcher Dave Roberts said he’s “a much better person” than his gameplay; respectful, humble, and grounded (Reddit).
Reddit users echo this sentiment:
His demeanor expands his impact—from fan excitement to enormous economic influence, drawing tourists and boosting merchandise sales in Los Angeles (The
Since signing a landmark 10-year, $700 million contract with LA, Ohtani has delivered on every expectation: NL MVP early, 40+ HR seasons, 50 HR/50 SB milestones (Reuters), All-Star heroics, and pitching performances that disrupted lineups even in limited innings .
His presence has also rejuvenated the Dodgers’ pitching approach—Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts has leaned on his versatility and mentorship, emphasizing Ohtani’s presence helps rookies and veterans alike find their edge .
The question of “GOAT” status looms large. Comparisons to Ruth are frequent—and for good reason. Yet Ohtani brings velocity, volume, and athleticism unmatched in modern eras. Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus suggested he might net “60–60 and 20 wins” next year (The Score), while Saints legend Deion Sanders offered an extraordinary comparison:
When a pitcher like Kershaw—himself one of history’s best—shakes his head in disbelief, it means what Ohtani is doing transcends the norm:
- Quantitatively unmatched: His combined WAR in pitching and hitting dwarfs typical two-way players.
- Overcoming adversity: Return from serious injury with command and power intact.
- Redefining possibility: Demonstrating that two-way prowess is not just possible—it can dominate.
As Kershaw claimed, “I don’t get it.” That sense of wonder is not just admiration—it’s acknowledgement that Ohtani is remaking the boundaries of baseball.
Clayton Kershaw, one of baseball’s greatest tacticians and competitors, stands stunned by Shohei Ohtani. He acknowledges what we all feel: this level of two-way performance is extraordinary. Graffiti of respect fills park scoreboards and locker rooms. Legends, teammates, rivals—all sharing a collective realization: Shohei Ohtani is not just great; he’s singular.
In an era chasing unicorns, we’ve found one. And even the game’s best can barely compute what he’s doing.
