Shohei Ohtani amazes MLB as Dave Roberts calls him a game changer

Shohei Ohtani is still lighting up Major League Baseball. With the Los Angeles Dodgers now, the Japanese superstar is showing that he's not only fantastic, he might be among the greatest players ever to play the game. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who played in Barry Bonds' time, declared that he's never observed anyone like Ohtani. His ability, charisma, and international celebrity are being compared to sports legends such as LeBron James and Tiger Woods.

Dave Roberts says Shohei Ohtani is treated like a star but still “like everyone else”

During an interview on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Dave Roberts talked about how he manages a player as special as Shohei Ohtani. Roberts made it clear that he tries not to get in Shohei Ohtani’s way and lets him do what he does best.




Nevertheless, he conceded that Ohtani is a different breed. “There is a difference in the sense of what they've earned,” he went on, implying that though he keeps things level, he is impressed by what level Ohtani has achieved. The Japanese sensation is more than another body on the roster; he's a once-in-a-generation athlete.

Dave Roberts compares Shohei Ohtani to LeBron James and Barry Bonds

When Cowherd mentioned the way that Ohtani makes people think of stars such as LeBron James and Tiger Woods, Roberts concurred. “It's like Tiger, what he did. You know, LeBron, the expectation,” Roberts replied. “Now you're talking about Shohei on a worldwide level. He's truly the only player I've witnessed that's been a game changer in baseball.”


This type of acknowledgement from Roberts, a past player turned current top executive, indicates how unique Ohtani is. Although Roberts played against Barry Bonds, one of the greatest pure hitters in history, he says Ohtani is in a category all by himself. Not only for his hitting, but because he also pitches. That is what makes Ohtani so special.


And it's not all words. Ohtani is showing it with stats. During the 2025 season, his on-base plus slugging (OPS) is a whopping 1.071. Those are MVP statistics.


Roberts even joked that Ohtani had hit two home runs on his bobblehead night. “It's humorous. Seriously,” he chuckled. “His OPS with the bobblehead is probably 2000. It seems like he always hits home runs. No, but Colin, it's amazing.”


Also Read: “He’s A Strong Kid”- Dodgers Rookie Hits Special Home Run And Earns Praise From Dave Roberts



Stay updated with the latest IPL news on Times of India. Follow the IPL Schedule, check the IPL Points Table, and track the race for the IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple Cap.