Shohei Ohtani amazes MLB as Dave Roberts calls him a game changer

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / May 18, 2025, 22:43 IST

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Shohei Ohtani is demonstrating to the world why he's among the most thrilling players in the history of the game. Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts handles him like any other player on the roster but understands Ohtani is uniquely special. With a .305 batting average and 16 home runs to his name already, Ohtani is proving once again that he's not only a star but a global phenomenon transforming the sport.

Shohei Ohtani amazes MLB as Dave Roberts calls him a game changer (Image Source: Getty Images)

Shohei Ohtani is still lighting up Major League Baseball. With the Los Angeles Dodgers now, the Japanese superstar is showing that he's not only fantastic, he might be among the greatest players ever to play the game. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who played in Barry Bonds' time, declared that he's never observed anyone like Ohtani. His ability, charisma, and international celebrity are being compared to sports legends such as LeBron James and Tiger Woods.

Dave Roberts says Shohei Ohtani is treated like a star but still “like everyone else”

During an interview on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Dave Roberts talked about how he manages a player as special as Shohei Ohtani. Roberts made it clear that he tries not to get in Shohei Ohtani’s way and lets him do what he does best.

Dave Roberts on what it is like coaching Ohtani & managing injuries | FULL INTERVIEW | The Herd

Nevertheless, he conceded that Ohtani is a different breed. “There is a difference in the sense of what they've earned,” he went on, implying that though he keeps things level, he is impressed by what level Ohtani has achieved. The Japanese sensation is more than another body on the roster; he's a once-in-a-generation athlete.

Dave Roberts compares Shohei Ohtani to LeBron James and Barry Bonds

When Cowherd mentioned the way that Ohtani makes people think of stars such as LeBron James and Tiger Woods, Roberts concurred. “It's like Tiger, what he did. You know, LeBron, the expectation,” Roberts replied. “Now you're talking about Shohei on a worldwide level. He's truly the only player I've witnessed that's been a game changer in baseball.”This type of acknowledgement from Roberts, a past player turned current top executive, indicates how unique Ohtani is. Although Roberts played against Barry Bonds, one of the greatest pure hitters in history, he says Ohtani is in a category all by himself. Not only for his hitting, but because he also pitches. That is what makes Ohtani so special.And it's not all words. Ohtani is showing it with stats. During the 2025 season, his on-base plus slugging (OPS) is a whopping 1.071. Those are MVP statistics.Roberts even joked that Ohtani had hit two home runs on his bobblehead night. “It's humorous. Seriously,” he chuckled. “His OPS with the bobblehead is probably 2000. It seems like he always hits home runs. No, but Colin, it's amazing.”Also Read: “He’s A Strong Kid”- Dodgers Rookie Hits Special Home Run And Earns Praise From Dave Roberts

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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