Ex-Giants star Barry Bonds drops BOLD take regarding Shohei Ohtani, claims MLB is ‘way different’ now than his time

While he appreciated his efforts, Barry Bonds mentioned that Shohei Ohtani would have a hard time doing what he does during his era of MLB.

Ex-Giants star Barry Bonds drops BOLD take regarding Shohei Ohtani, claims MLB is ‘way different’ now than his time

Barry Bonds and Shohei Ohtani (Image via Imago)

Former San Francisco Giants star Barry Bonds dropped a bold take regarding Shohei Ohtani recently. While the MLB Home Run King praised the skills and greatness of Ohtani, he claimed that the game has gone soft and is ‘way different’ now than in his time.

Since his debut in the league, Ohtani has made a huge mark on the sport of baseball. His two-way skills as a batter and pitcher has often led to many claiming him to be the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in MLB.

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During an appearance at the “All The Smoke” podcast, the 60-year-old MLB star praised him. However, he mentioned that the game has changed. He emphasized that the batters do not face the same type of challenges that he did during his time in the major league.

The game has just changed. The game is way different than it was when I played. The same way Michael (Jordan) talks about it or anybody does. Ohtani is not gonna hit two home runs without seeing one go (by his ear) in my generation. I don’t care what he does. He’s not gonna steal two bases without someone decapitating his kneecap to slow him down. It’s a different game back then.

Barry Bonds said

Ohtani created history last year during his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He became the first player to hit 50 home runs and have 50 stolen bases and thus founded the 50-50 club. He eventually wrapped up the regular season with 54 home runs and 58 stolen bases. This performance later earned him the National League MVP award.

At the end of January this year, Bonds shared an interesting suggestion regarding Ohtani. The 14-time MLB All-Star recommended that Ohtani should remain as a designated hitter instead of going back to being a two-way player and becoming a pitcher again.

In the 2024 season, the Japanese international did not throw a single pitch after he injured his elbow during the 2023 campaign. He is expected to take to the mound again this season with his first appearance likely to come around in May.

Barry Bonds claims he can still hit 100 mph pitch with ease

Before Shohei Ohtani and the other took over the MLB, Barry Bonds was the one player pitchers feared to go up against. The American international broke several records with his bat. While his last home run came in September 2007, Bonds is still confident about his hitting capabilities and claimed that he can hit a 100 mph fastball with relative ease.

Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds (Image via Imago)

During the appearance at the All The Smoke podcast, the 7-time National League MVP pointed out how he still hit a 100 mph.

Hundred? That’s easy. I don’t care how hard you throw a baseball. There ain’t no way you can throw a baseball 60 feet, six inches that I can’t just do like this.

Barry Bonds said

However, Bonds did note that hitting a home run at the age of 60 would be hard for him. He expressed that it would take time for his body to get used to hitting at his current age.

Bonds currently sits on top of the list for the most home runs hit in MLB with 762. Despite this great achievement, the DH has not been inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame.

The reason for this is due to his steroid scandal and the usage of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). In his 10 tries in the Hall of Fame ballot, Bonds failed to make it to Cooperstown, with the highest percentage of votes he ever received being 66, 9 short of the required 75.