Long before he became the global face of baseball, Shohei Ohtani was already making his mark. In November 2014, during the Japan All-Star Series, the young 20-year-old Japanese pitcher faced a team of MLB stars and left them with no answers.
His performance was so impressive that several American players and coaches remembered him as “the best” of that series, anticipating the phenomenon he would become years later.
A performance that surprised the world
Ohtani was part of the Japanese national team, Samurai Japan, and faced the likes of Jose Altuve, Yasiel Puig, Justin Morneau, Ben Zobrist and Salvador Perez. In his first appearance, he came on as a reliever and retired three Major League Baseball hitters in just 12 pitches. In the final game, he started and struck out seven opponents, including Puig, Morneau and Longoria, making it clear that his talent was on another level.
A fearless young man
Despite his age, Ohtani showed a maturity and aggressiveness that surprised everyone. His fastball exceeded 100 mph, and his command in the zone was impeccable. “He didn’t seem to be 20 years old. He attacked like he had been in the Major Leagues for years,” said Justin Morneau after facing him. Even Matt Shoemaker, then a pitcher for the Angels, described him as “the best player in the series.”
The beginning of a legend
That tournament was the first major international showcase for Ohtani. Although he was already a figure in Japan, his dominance against MLB players positioned him as a future global star. At that time, Ohtani had not yet signed with any Major League team, but his desire to play in the United States was clear
I want to play in MLB someday, but right now I’m focused on getting better here.
Unprecedented talent
What made Ohtani special was not only his speed as a pitcher, but also his power as a hitter. By 2014, he was already a dual-role player, something unheard of in modern baseball. His ability to excel in both facets made him a rarity, and scouts knew it. “If he manages to maintain this level in both positions, he will be unique in history,” several analysts anticipated.
The legacy began in Japan
Today, with multiple MVP awards, historic records and a World Seriesunder his belt, Shohei Ohtaniis considered one of the greatest players of all time. But it all began in November 2014, when a 20-year-old made MLBstars feel outclassed. That was the day the baseball world met Shohei Ohtani.
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