If you’re a baseball fan (or even just a casual sports watcher), you’ve probably heard the name Shohei Ohtani everywhere. And if you haven’t? Well, let’s fix that.
This guy isn’t just another MLB star—he’s a generational talent. He hits like Aaron Judge and pitches like Jacob deGrom. And somehow, he does both at an elite level. That’s not normal. In fact, before Shohei Ohtani, the only person who came close was Babe Ruth, and even he wasn’t doing it quite like this.
Now, Ohtani is making headlines yet again—this time, for signing the biggest contract in sports history. So, let’s break it all down: his insane deal, his record-shattering performances, and what’s next for baseball’s biggest star.
A $700 Million Deal That Broke the Sports World
In December 2023, Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Let’s put that into perspective. That’s more money than any athlete has ever earned from a single contract—more than Lionel Messi, LeBron James, or Patrick Mahomes.
But here’s the wild part: he’s deferring $680 million of it. That means the Dodgers don’t have to pay him most of his money until years down the road. Why would he do that? So the team can afford to build an even better roster right now.
Let’s be honest—how many athletes do you know who would choose to get paid less up front just to make sure their team stays competitive? Ohtani is playing the long game, and if it pays off, he might not just be a great player—he could become a dynasty-builder.
A Season for the History Books
Ohtani’s 2024 season? Unreal.
Even though he wasn’t pitching due to elbow surgery, he still put up video-game numbers at the plate. The guy smashed 54 home runs, swiped 59 bases, drove in 130 RBIs, and hit .310. Oh, and he also became the first player ever to hit 50+ home runs and steal 50+ bases in a single season.
Read that again. No one has ever done that before.
That’s why he won yet another MVP award—this time in the National League with the Dodgers. And with how his career is trending, don’t be surprised if he racks up a few more.
What’s Next for Ohtani?
Here’s where things get even more interesting. Ohtani’s been working his way back to the mound, and recently, he threw his first bullpen session since surgery. His fastball was already hitting 92-94 mph, which is ridiculous considering he’s still in recovery mode.
The big question is: When will he pitch in a real game? Right now, the target is sometime in May, but the Dodgers aren’t rushing him. And why would they? They’re already stacked, and the last thing they want is to risk damaging their $700 million investment.
When he does return to the mound, though? Watch out. If Ohtani can still throw 100 mph and hit 40+ home runs a season, we’re talking about an all-time great in the making.
More Than Just a Ballplayer
Ohtani isn’t just changing baseball on the field—he’s changing the way people see baseball. He’s bringing in fans from all over the world, breaking viewership records in Japan and growing MLB’s international audience like no one before him.
And the crazy part? He’s still in his prime.
So if you haven’t been paying attention to Shohei Ohtani yet, now’s the time. Because what we’re witnessing? It’s history in the making.
