Shohei Ohtani has been an absolute blockbuster with the Los Angeles Dodgers, to the point that NBA icon Magic Johnson compared him to a legendary singer and performer.
Ohtani, who signed with the Dodgers this past offseason, has led the National League with 54 home runs and is likely to claim his third Most Valuable Player award as he continues to be the face of the league.
And Johnson, who is a minority owner of the baseball franchise, believes the generationally talented Japanese superstar has had a similar effect to that of the late Michael Jackson.
“He’s made everyone on the Dodger team better.” Did you know that eight out of 10 Japanese fans who come from Japan go to Dodger Stadium? Incredible’, it began’Jimmy Kimmel live through Lakers Nation.
‘He is loved all over the world. It’s sold out stadiums… It’s the world watching, so it’s not just American fans watching baseball, but it’s also bringing in new fans who didn’t watch baseball. He is that exciting. So I’ve never seen this anywhere in my life. The only person I can compare it to is Michael Jackson, who has this kind of incredible hysteria wherever he goes, wherever he goes.’
Shohei Ohtani has been compared to Michael Jackson by NBA icon Magic Johnson
Johnson made the comment while speaking on Jimmy Kimmel Live earlier this week.
While it’s unclear where Johnson got his ‘eight out of 10’ claim from, Ohtani and the Dodgers have certainly garnered massive television ratings.
According to Nielsen data, the team has been involved in four of the 10 most watched MLB games this season.
That includes a meeting with the Yankees (who have been involved in seven such games) on June 1, which drew a season-high 2.91 million viewers on Fox.
Additionally, the auction for his historic 50-50 home run is currently on. 1.2 million dollars in Goldin.
While there have been many power hitters over the years, Ohtani’s talent is extremely unique.
He became the first MLB star with at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season.
He is both a star hitter and pitcher (he won’t pitch this year after undergoing Tommy John surgery) and has incredible athleticism to complement his ability at the plate.
Earlier this month, he became the first MLB player to reach 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season.
The Dodgers have clinched the NL West and Ohtani will look to keep his momentum going in his first postseason appearance.