Shohei Ohtani's fervent anti-fan makes another explosive statement: "He must permanently give up pitching and focus solely on hitting"

*This content was translated by AI.

A fervent anti-fan of Shohei Ohtani (32, Los Angeles Dodgers) has once again launched a scathing critique. The comment advocates for Ohtani to abandon his role as a pitcher in Major League Baseball and dedicate himself entirely to hitting.

Rob Parker, a baseball analyst appearing on MLB Network's flagship program "MLB Now," made an explosive statement on the 24th (Korea time): "From now on, we should never see Ohtani on the mound again—not just for the remaining games of this season, but forever."

The background behind this "pitching retirement" recommendation lies in the aftermath of Ohtani's recent injury. Since canceling his scheduled start on the 10th due to left knee pain, Ohtani has continued to bat but has postponed any return to the mound. The Dodgers organization has also stated that for the remainder of this season, Ohtani will focus exclusively on hitting, without specifying a timeline for his pitching comeback. It appears they are waiting for his knee condition to improve.

Although he threw 31 pitches in bullpen sessions on the 22nd to assess his game readiness, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and other team executives have maintained a cautious stance. They are closely monitoring symptoms of fluid accumulation in Ohtani's knee. According to Japanese media outlets including CocoKARA, Manager Roberts emphasized that "the Cy Young Award race and postseason preparation are separate issues," adding that "what matters most is October baseball."

There is no doubt about his ability. This season, Ohtani has started 14 games with an 8-2 record and a 1.79 ERA. His advanced metrics are also impressive: over 85⅔ innings pitched, he recorded a WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) of 0.95 and struck out 9.95 batters per nine innings. While the injury has temporarily sidelined him from Cy Young Award contention, experts maintain that once healthy, his dominance on the mound remains a formidable threat—a positive development for the Dodgers, who are aiming for a World Series title.

However, Parker, who has historically undervalued Ohtani, again expressed frustration over the injury risks and uncertainties associated with two-way play. Earlier this May, during a broadcast appearance, Parker had already stated that "Ohtani's performance is nothing more than a counterfeit (Fugazi) and an optical illusion created by favorable matchups," adding, "There is no need to make a fuss about records built against sub-.500 teams."

Recognized as one of Ohtani's most prominent critics, Parker remarked this time: "Ohtani the pitcher has already done enough. What the Dodgers need is an Ohtani who steps into the lineup every day and swings the bat." He further noted, "The Dodgers can win without Ohtani ever returning to the mound."

Parker continued: "Continuing to pitch is purely a matter of personal ambition for the player; it has nothing to do with the Dodgers' World Series aspirations. Remember the season two years ago when Ohtani didn't pitch on the mound yet achieved '50-50' (50 home runs and 50 stolen bases). That was the most complete Shohei Ohtani we have ever seen."

Ultimately, this harsh criticism appears rooted in the belief that no player in Major League Baseball history has ever fully mastered two-way play. Separately, Ohtani is steadily preparing to resume pitching under the careful management of his coaching staff. It remains to be seen whether he can overcome skeptical views and successfully return to the mound.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.