Barry Bonds on Shohei Ohtani: 'The Game Has Just Changed'

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is widely regarded as one of the best hitters in baseball, but MLB's all-time home run king Barry Bonds believes that hitting is a bit easier now than it was during his playing days. Bonds appeared on the "All The Smoke" podcast, where he discussed Ohtani's impressive talents while noting that players today have fewer concerns at the plate. Acknowledging Ohtani's brilliance, Bonds praised the 2024 NL MVP for his exceptional skills in pitching, hitting, and baserunning. "He's a complete player," Bonds said. "There's no doubt about the type of player he is and what he's accomplished in his career."
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Despite his admiration for Ohtani, Bonds pointed out that the game has evolved, making it less challenging for hitters in certain aspects. He mentioned that in his era, pitchers were more likely to plunk hitters following home runs, creating a more intimidating atmosphere at the plate. Bonds argued that Ohtani wouldn't have been able to hit multiple home runs without facing such retaliation in the past. "The game is way different than it was when I played," Bonds remarked. "Ohtani is not gonna hit two home runs without seeing one go by his ear in my generation." Bonds' comments highlight the changes in baseball over the years and the different challenges faced by players in each era.