By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-09-29 13:55:27 | Updated at 2024-09-30 07:23:20
18 hours ago
Shohei Ohtani has been absolutely box office viewing with the Los Angeles Dodgers - so much so that NBA icon Magic Johnson compared him to a legendary singer and performer.
Ohtani, who signed with the Dodgers this past offseason, has hit an NL-leading 54 home runs and is likely to claim his third MVP award as he continues to be the face of the league.
And Johnson, who is a minority owner of the baseball franchise, believes the generationally talented Japanese superstar has had a similar effect to the late Michael Jackson.
'He's made everybody on the Dodger team better. Do you know that eight out of every 10 Japanese fans who come over from Japan go to Dodger Stadium? Unbelievable,' he began on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live,' via Lakers Nation.
'He is loved all around the world. He has sold out stadiums… It's the world watching it, so it's not just American fans who watch baseball, but also he's bringing in new fans who didn't watch baseball. He's that exciting. So I've never seen this anywhere in my life. The only person I can compare is Michael Jackson having this type of unbelievable hysteria everywhere he moves, everywhere he goes.'
Shohei Ohtani has been compared to Michael Jackson by NBA icon Magic Johnson
Johnson made the comment while speaking on Jimmy Kimmel Live earlier this week
While it's unclear where Johnson got his 'eight of 10' claim from, Ohtani and the Dodgers have certainly drawn massive TV ratings.
According to Nielsen data, the team has been involved in four of the MLB's 10 most-watched games this season.
That includes a meeting with the Yankees (who have been involved in seven such games) on June 1, which drew a season-high 2.91million viewers on Fox.
Additionally, auction bidding for his historic 50-50 home run ball is currently at $1.2million at Goldin.
While there have been plenty of powerful hitters over the years, Ohtani's talent is extremely unique.
He became the first MLB star with at least 50 home runs and and 50 stolen bases in a season
He's both a star hitter and pitcher (he is not throwing this year after undergoing Tommy John surgery), and has incredible athleticism to complement his ability at the plate.
Earlier this month, he became the first MLB player to reach 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season.
The Dodgers have clinched the NL West and Ohtani will look to keep up his momentum in his first postseason appearance.
