Ohtani says he is honored by Babe Ruth comparisons

Looks to be in far better shape than Ruth was, physically. We'll see about the rest as time passes. Perhaps he's even better. I still don't think he can keep the pitching up for much longer, but he is doing very well at the rest.

fielded questions on everything from Japan's tax system to when he plans to get married

So what does he think about the tax system?

But the question about getting married is too personal. He could be a two-way sensation in more ways than one, and that’s his private business either way.

I'll bet he's having to beat the J-girl 'TV announcers' off with a kendo practice sword... They usually make a bee line for baseball stars.

They usually make a bee line for baseball stars.

yes, all desperate to grab their future meal ticket.

But, maybe he’s a two-way player off the field as well

I have seen him play, and he is very impressive. Best wishes to him.

Perhaps slightly early to proclaim Shohei as the GOAT of world baseball. He may well be already now, but let's wait until he retires in a decade to make that call!

Definitely the greatest I have seen, along with Ichiro.

I don't know of a single pundit who compared Otani to Ruth besides the fact that Ruth pitched early on in his career.

Otani is a terrific talent, but the Japanese media (and Otani) would be wise to lay off the hype machine in overdrive again.

Not only is Ohtani a truly great player, he also has a great personality. Bravo!

He was scouted heavily and wanted to go straight to MLB after high-school but the oyajis in NPB wouldn't let him. He made a deal with them that he will play a few years in Japan and they will not stop him if he wanted to move.

He could have waited until he turns 25 before switching so he can command a better contract than what he has now but all it was for him was playing baseball in the biggest stage. Sound like a standout ball player so I wish him all the best.

Not only is Otani a great baseball player but he is very smart and had very good advisers, for example as stated" He was scouted heavily and wanted to go straight to the MLB after high-school but the oyajis in NPB refused to let him leave so Otani or his handlers negotiated a deal to play in Japan and once that contract ended he was free to go! SMART MOVE, he left for little pay KNOWING his own TALENT was going to pay off in the future so the small gains in the beginning will double the amount he left on the table when he left. The bidding and contract negotiations for this guy will break record numbers and the teams will be willing to pay. He will become the most richest paid athlete ever once he signs his new contract!! It will set a record.

Definitely the greatest I have seen, along with Ichiro.

Unfortunately, what you've seen has been whittled down to 5 minute highlight reels on Fuji TV on 2 occasions 10 years apart.

Otani is a terrific talent, but the Japanese media (and Otani) would be wise to lay off the hype machine in overdrive again.

Given the fact that only two individuals have ever been as similarly competitive in both hitting and pitching the comparisons are apt. Ohtani isn’t yet a 20 game winner in a season and hasn’t set any league home run records like Ruth but is talented enough to be capable of both. Only time will tell what his place in baseball history will be but he is the only player in 100 years that has demonstrated talents commensurate to Ruth’s.

Lol Babe Ruth would have drinks before every game and immediately after every game and never exorcised a day in his life. The average new York Italian. The great Bambino! Ohtani will probably surpass Ruth. He's young enough.