Hall of Fame pitcher CC Sabathia said Shohei Ohtani is already the greatest player in Major League Baseball history [1].
This assessment comes from a peer who played at the highest level for nearly two decades. Sabathia's endorsement adds significant weight to the growing debate over the sport's all-time best, as Ohtani continues to perform at an unprecedented level as both a pitcher and a hitter.
Speaking on The Dan Patrick Show, Sabathia said Ohtani is above other legendary figures in the game [1, 2]. He identified the Dodgers star as the greatest of all time, or the "GOAT" [2].
Sabathia said, "Shohei Ohtani is already the greatest player in MLB history" [1]. He said, "He's the GOAT" [2].
While the history of baseball is filled with singular talents, Sabathia pointed to Ohtani's unmatched greatness and overall performance as the primary reasons for the label [1, 2]. The pitcher's perspective reflects a shift in how the sport views versatility — moving from a specialized role to a dual-threat dominance that has not been seen in the modern era.
Sabathia is not the only figure to offer such praise. Teammate Freddie Freeman has also referred to Ohtani as the greatest MLB player ever [3]. The consensus among current and former stars suggests that Ohtani's ability to impact the game from both the mound and the batter's box creates a value that transcends traditional statistics.
“"Shohei Ohtani is already the greatest player in MLB history."”
The endorsement by a Hall of Fame pitcher signals a shift in the 'Greatest of All Time' conversation, moving the focus from cumulative career statistics to the unique, dual-threat utility Ohtani provides. By prioritizing versatility and peak performance over longevity, Sabathia is challenging the traditional metrics used to rank baseball legends.
