Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ $700 million man and the reigning face of Major League Baseball, has etched his name alongside two of the sport’s most immortal figures: Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle. With an electrifying performance throughout the month of May 2025, Ohtani became just the third player in MLB history to record 15 home runs, 27 RBIs, and 31 runs scored in a single month. That’s right—Ohtani has joined Ruth and Mantle, two of the most iconic Yankees to ever swing a bat, in a category that transcends eras, ballparks, and batting philosophies.
This isn’t just another hot streak.
This is legendary.
A Month to Remember
The month of May 2025 will go down as one of the most dominant months ever recorded by a hitter in MLB history. Ohtani didn’t just pad his stats—he obliterated opposing pitchers.
Here’s the raw line:
- .394 batting average
- 15 home runs
- 27 RBIs
- 31 runs scored
- .512 OBP
- .879 SLG
- 1.391 OPS
Every time he stepped to the plate, it felt like something seismic was about to happen. Opposing managers walked the fine line between fear and futility when facing him. They tried shifts, lefties, righties, pitch sequencing—nothing worked.
Ohtani wasn’t just swinging a hot bat. He was rewriting the geometry of hitting.
Joining Baseball Gods: Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle
To fully grasp the gravity of Ohtani’s accomplishment, it’s necessary to revisit the legends he now stands beside.
Babe Ruth
In July 1920, Ruth recorded 13 home runs (in fewer games), 27 RBIs, and 30 runs scored—a statistical line that was considered untouchable for generations. He was redefining power hitting before the league even standardized night games or modern equipment.
Mickey Mantle
In June 1956, the Mick posted 15 homers, 27 RBIs, and 31 runs scored—eerily similar to Ohtani’s May 2025. That same year, Mantle won the Triple Crown and led the Yankees to yet another World Series.
Both men not only led their teams—they transcended the sport. And now, Ohtani’s name is permanently carved beside theirs in that hallowed statistic.
Dodgers’ Resurgence: Powered by a One-Man Wrecking Crew
When the Dodgers signed Ohtani to his record-shattering contract in December 2023, the expectations were beyond monumental. Some questioned whether he could maintain his excellence as both a hitter and a pitcher. And although a recent elbow procedure has limited his pitching in 2025, his bat is not only making up for the absence—it’s historically compensating.
During the month, the Dodgers went 21–6, jumping ahead in the National League West standings and establishing themselves as the World Series favorites. Much of that momentum has been thanks to Ohtani’s bat. Clutch three-run homers, late-inning rallies sparked by his leadoff doubles, and pitchers who visibly shook as he stepped into the box.
Ohtani didn’t just contribute—he carried.
Manager Dave Roberts put it best:
“There are MVPs, and then there are game-changers. Shohei is both. He’s the kind of player you only see once in a century—maybe even longer.”
More Than Stats: The Global Icon
While the numbers are staggering, Ohtani’s impact goes far beyond the field.
In Japan, his games are broadcast to millions in the early morning hours. Children wear Dodgers hats to school, and his influence is credited for a 30% spike in youth baseball enrollment across Asia. The Ohtani effect is not just statistical—it’s cultural.
Dodger Stadium has never been more electric. Lines wrap around the block for Ohtani merchandise. His name is chanted with reverence, not just because of his talent, but for the grace with which he carries his fame.
He signs autographs, gives back to the community, and stays humble despite being arguably the most dominant force in global sports today.
Historical Perspective: Where Does This Rank All-Time?
Stat lines like 15 HR, 27 RBI, and 31 runs in one month are rarefied air. Only three players have ever done it. But even beyond the raw totals, Ohtani’s May 2025 had the highest OPS (1.391) in a single calendar month in Los Angeles Dodgers history.
And he’s not done.
Many experts believe he could make a run at 60 home runs this season, especially with the way he’s locked in mechanically and seeing the ball. His WAR already ranks among the top five in the league—and he’s not even pitching yet.
If he returns to the mound in 2026, we could be talking about a player rewriting the very definition of baseball greatness.
Teammate Reactions
Mookie Betts, another Dodgers superstar, said:
“Every day, I thank my lucky stars I get to share a field with Shohei. What he’s doing right now—it’s not human.”
Freddie Freeman added:
“You hear about Babe Ruth, you read about Mickey Mantle… and now we get to play with the third guy in that conversation. That’s insane.”
What Comes Next?
With the season nearing its midpoint, the Dodgers are in prime position to secure home-field advantage in October. And if Ohtani keeps swinging like this, the National League MVP might as well be engraved today.
But the real tantalizing question is: Could this be just the beginning?
There are whispers around the league about what a full season of a healthy, two-way Ohtani might look like in a Dodgers uniform. Some scouts are quietly saying it could be the greatest single season in MLB history.
The Bottom Line
We toss around words like “legend” and “icon” far too loosely in modern sports discourse. But what Shohei Ohtani is doing right now isn’t hype—it’s history.
He’s the kind of player who makes you stop what you’re doing and turn on the game.
He’s the kind of player who redefines the possible.
He’s the kind of player who, for one magical month, resurrected the ghosts of Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle… and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with them, bat in hand, smile on face, ready to take the next swing.
And if May 2025 is any indication, Shohei Ohtani isn’t just joining the immortals.
He’s creating his own pantheon.
Fun Fact:
Ohtani reached base in 27 of 28 games during May—either by hit, walk, or hit-by-pitch. He struck out just 14 times compared to 21 extra-base hits. His bat speed has been clocked as high as 81 mph, which would rank among the league’s elite.
Baseball has always honored its past. It celebrates the mythology of its legends. But every now and then, a player comes along who doesn’t just chase history—they make it.
Shohei Ohtani is that player.
So the next time you hear the crack of his bat or see the ball soaring into the Los Angeles night, remember that you’re not just watching a baseball game.
