Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Fires Back at Shohei Ohtani Criticism

In the most recent episode of his podcast, “On Base,” Betts spoke with Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell about Ohtani’s reputation in baseball.

Betts talked about how Ohtani has created such a high standard. If he does not excel in every area, people start to question him.

“That’s what I see now. If he doesn’t get a hit or maybe has a couple bad games, it’s like, ‘Well, what’s wrong with Sho?’ Betts said. “Well, I mean, he did just go seven innings and give up two hits. He does have a 0.7 ERA. You forget all the other ways that he really affects the game.”

What Ohtani does is unprecedented in baseball. Never before has a player had this many tools as both a hitter and pitcher. Ohtani can hit for average, hit for power, steal bases and, as he is showing this season, pitch like a Cy Young candidate.

People have gotten so used to his greatness that they forget how difficult this really is.

Adell, Ohtani’s former teammate with the Angels, also spoke about those expectations.

“Hey, this is ridiculous,” Adell said. “Sitting on the bench expecting a guy to go do that in a major league game is insane.”

Ohtani has started to heat up at the plate, hitting .522 with six extra-base hits and nine RBIs over his last seven games.

Tonight, Ohtani will hit and pitch in the same game for the first time in nearly a month. First pitch is scheduled for 5:40 p.m. PT.