In a season already packed with moments of awe, Shohei Ohtani has once again redefined the boundaries of greatness. With a thunderous swing and lightning speed on the base paths, Ohtani made history this past month by becoming just the third player in Major League Baseball history to record 15 home runs, 27 RBIs, and 31 runs scored in a single calendar month, joining the rarefied company of two of the game’s most iconic legends — Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle.
This statistical milestone isn’t just another chapter in Ohtani’s already illustrious career — it’s a coronation of sorts. With each game, Ohtani is proving that he isn’t merely one of the best of his generation — he is a living embodiment of baseball’s past, present, and future. And now, with this remarkable achievement, he stands side-by-side with immortals.
A Month for the Ages
The month in question — May 2025 — will go down in MLB lore as perhaps the greatest 30-day stretch by an offensive player in the modern era. Ohtani batted .388 over the month, with 15 homers, 27 RBIs, and 31 runs scored, while also adding 7 stolen bases, a .490 on-base percentage, and an astronomical 1.435 OPS.
It wasn’t just that he hit the ball hard — it’s that he hit the ball often, and everywhere. From towering blasts to right field at Dodger Stadium to opposite-field lasers in Colorado, to clutch bombs in close games against playoff-contending teams, Ohtani’s production came with precision and power.
“He’s a machine right now,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “Every time he steps to the plate, you hold your breath. I’ve never seen anything like it — and I’ve been around some all-time greats.”
The Historical Context: Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle
The names Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle are sacred in baseball’s long and storied history. Ruth, the Sultan of Swat, revolutionized the game in the 1920s with his towering home runs and larger-than-life persona. Mantle, the Commerce Comet, was the face of the 1950s Yankees dynasty and perhaps the most gifted switch-hitter the game has ever seen.
For Ohtani to now be mentioned in the same statistical breath as these two legends speaks volumes. The last time a player posted numbers of 15+ HR, 27+ RBI, and 31+ runs in one month was Mickey Mantle in June 1956, a season in which he won the Triple Crown. Before that? Babe Ruth in July 1920, at the height of his powers with the New York Yankees.
That’s nearly 70 years of baseball with no one replicating that level of dominance in such a short span — until now.
From Two-Way Unicorn to Offensive Powerhouse
It wasn’t long ago that Shohei Ohtani was dazzling fans with his two-way brilliance, pitching dominant outings every sixth day while launching home runs with jaw-dropping ease. But after undergoing Tommy John surgery and subsequently focusing solely on his hitting in the 2025 season, Ohtani has transformed into something even more terrifying: a full-time offensive juggernaut.
Freed from the wear and tear of the mound, Ohtani has unleashed every ounce of his energy on punishing pitchers. In May alone, he faced a mix of elite and average arms — and torched them all. Against aces like Zack Wheeler, Kevin Gausman, and Logan Webb, he posted multi-hit games. Against bullpen specialists and flame-throwers, he shortened his swing and laced line drives with clinical precision.
“There’s no pitch he can’t hit right now,” said Dodgers hitting coach Aaron Bates. “And the scary part? He’s still learning. He watches every at-bat like a scientist studying data. He’s not just talented — he’s obsessed with mastering the craft.”
Dodgers’ Investment Paying Off in Gold
When the Dodgers signed Ohtani to a historic 10-year, $700 million contract this past offseason — the richest deal in professional sports history — they knew they were acquiring not just a player, but a global icon. Critics initially questioned whether Ohtani’s dual-threat abilities would be sustainable, especially after his UCL injury. But even without pitching, Ohtani has proven he’s worth every penny.
Through June 1st, Ohtani leads MLB in home runs (21), slugging (.722), OPS (1.210), and WAR (4.5). The Dodgers, currently sitting atop the National League standings, have benefited immensely from his presence in the lineup. His impact stretches beyond numbers — he’s lifted the team’s morale, energized a fan base, and brought an almost mythical aura to every game.
“Shohei’s not just an MVP — he’s a once-in-a-century type of player,” said Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman. “You don’t get this kind of production from anyone. Ever. What we’re seeing is baseball history being written in real time.”
The Global Phenomenon
Ohtani’s impact transcends borders. Japanese media follows his every move with an intensity once reserved only for the nation’s top samurai. In America, he’s become a unifying force in a divided sports landscape, beloved by fans regardless of allegiance. Kids in Little Leagues now wear #17 Dodgers jerseys, mimicking his stance. Adults stay up late to catch his at-bats. Social media explodes every time he homers.
When he launched his 15th homer of May — a 452-foot no-doubter into the second deck at Citi Field — the call from Japanese broadcaster NHK went viral, filled with tears, joy, and national pride. “It’s not just baseball,” said one fan on X (formerly Twitter). “Ohtani is hope. He’s what greatness looks like.”
Records Within Reach
While the 15 HR, 27 RBI, and 31 runs mark a historic month, Ohtani may not be done making history this season. If he continues at his current pace, he’s on track to finish with:
- 63 home runs
- 145 RBIs
- 135 runs scored
- .350 batting average
- 1.200+ OPS
No player has posted such numbers in a single season since Babe Ruth’s mythical 1921 campaign. With modern pitching being far more specialized and advanced, many argue that Ohtani’s accomplishments in today’s era are even more impressive.
He also has a chance to break the Dodgers’ single-season home run record, set by Shawn Green (49 in 2001), and challenge Barry Bonds’ all-time single-season mark of 73.
Teammates in Awe
Inside the Dodgers clubhouse, Ohtani’s teammates speak of him with reverence. Mookie Betts, himself a former MVP and World Series champion, said, “What Shohei’s doing is like watching MJ in his prime. You don’t take it for granted. You just watch and say, ‘Damn, I get to be part of this.’”
Freddie Freeman echoed those sentiments. “He raises everyone’s level. He makes you want to be better. That’s what the greats do — they inspire without saying a word.”
Even Clayton Kershaw, the stoic future Hall of Famer, admitted: “I’ve seen a lot of special players. Shohei’s different. He’s generational. Maybe even transcendent.”
The MVP Race: Over Already?
Though we’re not even at the All-Star break, most pundits agree that barring injury, the 2025 NL MVP Award is Ohtani’s to lose. His WAR alone dwarfs that of his closest competitors, and with the Dodgers projected to win 100+ games, the narrative and the numbers are firmly in his favor.
“You don’t even need to vote,” joked one MLB executive. “Just engrave his name on the trophy now.”
A Living Legend in the Making
In a game that often leans on nostalgia and legacy, Shohei Ohtani has managed to bridge generations. He’s the power of Ruth, the speed of Rickey Henderson, the discipline of Bonds, and the aura of Mantle, all rolled into one 6-foot-4, left-handed dynamo with a megawatt smile and humility that belies his greatness.
And now, with his entrance into the exclusive club of 15 HR, 27 RBI, and 31 runs in one month, Ohtani’s legend grows even larger.
Baseball, more than any other sport, is obsessed with its past — with records, with comparisons, with ghosts of greatness. But every once in a while, a player comes along who isn’t just chasing history — he’s making it.
Shohei Ohtani is that player.
In May 2025, he didn’t just have a hot streak. He had a month that put him alongside Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle. And in doing so, he reminded us all why we fell in love with this game in the first place: to witness the impossible made real.
