Shohei Ohtani, the extraordinary two-way star for the Los Angeles Dodgers, continues to stun the baseball world with his elite talent and resilience.
On Saturday, during a game against the Kansas City Royals, Ohtani unleashed a 101.7 mph fastball – the fastest pitch of his Major League Baseball career. This milestone further cements his status as one of the most electrifying players in the sport.
Although Ohtani previously reached an even higher velocity – a 102 mph pitch thrown against Italy in the 2023 World Baseball Classic – this latest achievement is remarkable given the significant hurdles he has overcome.
The 30-year-old has endured three elbow surgeries, including two Tommy John procedures. His first Tommy John surgery took place in 2018 while playing for the Los Angeles Angels, and he underwent a second, more complex revision surgery with an internal brace in September 2023.
A third elbow surgery also factored into his prolonged recovery process, delaying his return to the mound until 2025.
Fans aren’t convinced
Despite these serious setbacks, Ohtani has not only returned to pitching but has done so with a renewed vigor and strength. His ability to throw pitches at such extraordinary speeds after multiple surgeries is almost unheard of in professional sports and has drawn admiration from teammates, opponents, and fans alike.
The Dodgers organization has expressed amazement at his progress, often praising his work ethic and determination in rehab and training.
However, the impressive velocity of Ohtani’s latest pitch has also stirred controversy among some baseball fans and commentators. On Instagram, a user posted a video of the pitch accompanied by a call for Major League Baseball to investigate the possibility of illegal performance-enhancing substances.
“MLB needs to investigate Shohei Ohtani,” the user posted, sparking a lively debate in the comments section.
Reactions from fans were mixed. Many defended Ohtani’s performance, attributing his comeback and velocity to advances in medical science and his relentless dedication.
“A lot of them? Tommy John is a wonderful surgery,” a fan commented, emphasizing that multiple surgeries are becoming more common and don’t necessarily indicate wrongdoing.
“I don’t wanna hear that rap dog, Ohtani best MLB player,” was another supportive post online.
On the other hand, some fans used the discussion as an opportunity to reminisce about baseball’s controversial steroid era.
“I think we should go back to letting the players use steroids. I wanna see 500 ft bombs. Bring back Barry Bonds & A-Rod.”
This perspective highlights the ongoing tension in baseball between purists and those who long for the heightened power and excitement the steroid era brought to the game.
Regardless of the controversy, Shohei Ohtani’s performance this season is a testament to his exceptional talent, resilience, and work ethic. His unique ability to excel both as a pitcher and hitter is unprecedented in modern baseball, making him a once-in-a-generation athlete.
With the Dodgers and fans eager to see what he can do next, Ohtani continues to redefine what’s possible on the diamond – inspiring new generations of players and raising the bar for excellence in Major League Baseball.
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