Ruth versus Ohtani

Over the past couple of years people have been talking about how Shohei Ohtani is the greatest baseball player of all time. Well, frankly he pales when compared to Babe Ruth.

Let’s start with looking at their batting statistics through the age of 30.

Here are the statistics for Ohtani. He has 280 home runs, 669 RBIs and a batting average of .282.

Here are the statistics for Ruth. He hit 309 home runs, 944 RBIs, and a batting average well over .330.

Additionally – Ohtani lead the league in HRs twice, runs twice and rbis once. Ruth lead the league in HRs six time, runs five times and RBIs four times.

Clearly, as a batter Ruth was much better.

What about post-season hitting

Here are the batting statistics for Ohtani.

Here are the batting statistics for Ruth.

First, Ohtani has played many more games per season because of the pre-world series playoff games. So, let’s compare the stats based of “162 game average.” Once again Ruth leads in all statistics including stolen bases.

Now let’s look at regular season pitching.

Here are the pitching statistics for Ohtani, which in reality aren’t very impressive.

Here are the pitching statistics for Ruth.

Once again Ruth was better is all statistics used.

So, how about post-season pitching.

Not much here for Ohtani, and what is isn’t very impressive.

Here are the statistics for Ruth.

With the exception of SO (strike outs), Ruth was better in all categories.

So, who is the better ball player?

Statistically, it is Babe Ruth. He had more power as well as a much better hitter in general, especially when you look at RBIs and runs scored. When you look at pitching the pendulum swings even more in favor of Ruth.

So – who is the better player? Babe Ruth.

More later…