Ohtani has UCL tear, won't pitch again in '23

[Auggie]

2. Yes ...

Last edited Thu Aug 24, 2023, 05:43 PM - Edit history (1)

and me too. Though I heard two pundits on KNBR the other day question how long Ohtani can keep up the dual role.

Babe Ruth stopped pitching in 1920 when he was traded to the Yankees. In 1919, with the Red Sox, he hit 29 home runs. In 1918 the total was 11. That changed in 1920 when he banged 54, followed by 59 in 1921. Story goes he wanted to play everyday ... to hit home runs (Ruth made five appearances as a Yankee pitcher between 1920 and and 1933, four as a starter -- he won all his starts).

So could Ohtani, as just a player, have even better power output if he quite pitching?

Total innings pitched, FYI:

Ruth, 2014-1919: 1,190.1
Ohtani, 2018-2023: 481.1

Home runs as a starting pitcher

Ruth, 1914-1919: 29
Ohtani, 2018-2023: 171

Ruth went on to hit 685 home runs. Ohtani's output to date, though his pitch count is lower, is very impressive.

Stats:

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ruthba01.shtml
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/ohtansh01.shtml