Another reminder of how special Ohtani is...

[True Dough]

We're lucky to be witnessing this unicorn in action!

[Redleg]

1. I hope he has a lengthy career- playing for the Reds

He would be a real budget buster.

[Ziggy Beans]

2. Sure, but he plays for the Dodgers

...

[True Dough]

3. I also have to try mightily to overlook that fact!

And not hold it against him. But he's undeniably special, even in a Dodgers uniform.

[GreenWave]

4. Gibson 1968. Good luck Ohtani.

Can he start 34 games and pitch 28 complete games with 13 of those being shutouts? A final ERA of 1.12? Will they lower the mound once again because of Ohtani this time? Will the Globetrotters use him?

And behold Ohtani, another Cardinal, Jordan Walker may have finally righted his ship and is on pace for 68 dingers and 162 ribbies.

[awesomerwb1]

5. Please tell us how good of a hitter Gibson was?

Did Gibson play every day? Can Jordan Walker pitch?

Your comparisons are pretty ridiculous. Enjoy hating on Ohtani.

[WestMichRad]

6. Gibson was a very good hitter!

Especially considering he surely didn’t put a great focus on it. 24 career homers, 73 extra base hits in 1328 official plate appearances. I haven’t compared those numbers to other historic pitchers’ batting stats, but I’d venture a guess that his hitting skill was way above average.
Certainly not Ohtani numbers, but he wasn’t trying to do that.

[awesomerwb1]

7. .206 career BA is "very good"?

There are other pitchers with much better career BA 10 years plus than Gibson. (Who was an exceptional pitcher and has my full admiration and respect).
It just goes to show how good Ohtani is when the people who don't like Ohtani have to resort to comparing him with pitchers who:
1- Didn't play every day like Ohtani does.
2- Hitters who are having a good month - and don't pitch.

Funny stuff.

[GreenWave]

9. I am certain Ohtani never faced Gibson's patented chin music.

[awesomerwb1]

10. lol Ohtani wasn't even born when Gibson retired

[WestMichRad]

12. I'm sure there were pitchers with better BAs than Gibsons.

Just as there are hitters with better averages than Ohtani. But few players have had the overall talent that Gibson possessed. Remember that he focused the great majority of his attention on pitching, not hitting… and he still managed to hit quite a few HRs, etc.

Comparing anyone to Ohtani is pointless: he’s a superhuman freak.

[awesomerwb1]

13. If it's pointless why are you even trying?

"But Gibson this"...but "Gibson that". Really? There are better hitting pitchers than Gibson and better pitchers than him as well. This makes no sense.

Yeah, better batting averages than Ohtani sure. He's a power hitter. He doesn't hit for average. And how many of those with higher BAs than Ohtani can hit 55 home runs and steal 55 bases in one season by the way?

You Ohtani "dislikers" twist yourselves into pretzels sometimes. It's sad and funny at the same time. /end

[WestMichRad]

14. Thank you for formulating opinions for me.

I’d be lost without you!

I happen to think Gibson was an all-time great. Get over it.
And I think Ohtani is fantastic. Not a hater, not at all. Wish he played for my team!

[awesomerwb1]

15. Too easy. Glad I could help.

[True Dough]

8. The game has changed a whole lot since 1968

No pitcher is likely to reach double-digit complete games in a season anymore. Sandy Alcantara might be the best bet.

As for Jordan Walker, great start, but it's a long season!

[rsdsharp]

11. They didn't lower the mound because of Gibson -- although he was a factor.

For instance, Denny McClain won 31 games that year. Only one batter in the AL hit .300 — Car Yastrzemski’s .301. Don Drysdale set a record by pitching 58 2/3rds consecutive scoreless innings.

It was “the year of the pitcher,” not just the year of Gibson.