Last Night Shohei Ohtani Became The First Player In 100 Years To Start a Game On The Mound While Also Leading Baseball in Home Runs

Every day Shohei Ohtani is on a baseball field it feels like he's doing something that we haven't seen in a long time. This time it's actually something pretty wild. When Ohtani started on Monday night he became the first player in almost 100 years to start a game while also leading baseball in home runs. Who was the last player to do this? Some guy Babe Ruth who did it back on June 13, 1921 when he had 19 home runs. If we're being honest the next closest guy probably had what, 2? I know times have changed but that doesn't diminish what Ohtani is doing. Ohtani and 7 others are tied for first with 7 bombs on the year, but the cool thing is none of the other guys happen to also throw 100 MPH and be a pitcher. It's every night he's doing something historic like this, he's amazing. He is changing the way people look at these two way players. You see Brendan McKay and a few others who can hit and pitch, but there has never been anyone in the last 100 years that is doing it like Shohei. 

This is the kind of stuff that makes Ohtani the most talented player in our generation. White Sox Dave and I were talking about it on Twitter this weekend, he may not be the best player in baseball right now(he may be), but he's by far the most talented player. I think he's the most talented player we've seen in a long, long time. No one has the skillset he has. No one on earth has 35+ HR potential and sub 3.5 ERA potential as well. He has both. Every start of his is must watch, whether it's on the mound or in the box, sometimes it's both and it's filthy. Anytime you and Babe Ruth are the only 2 guys in the last century to do something I think you're doing it right.

How did we do in his historic start? Had one REALLY bad inning but overall was really good. 5 innings, 3 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks, 9 Ks. He had a rough go in the first inning but settled down and really found his grove. Goose eggs for runs after the first for the Rangers. He also doubled in 2 runs to help his own cause and had a bunt single. He's amazing.