Ohtani’s Worldwide Stardom Comparable to Muhammad Ali and Tiger Woods

What more can be said about Shohei Ohtani that hasn’t already been expressed? Already hailed by numerous MLB experts as the “greatest player in baseball history,” his upside might seem limited. However, ESPN’s Karl Ravech attempted to elevate the conversation further during his recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.

The discussion shifted to Ohtani’s stunning walk-off home run against the Atlanta Braves the previous night, a moment made even more special as it coincided with Shohei Ohtani’s bobblehead night.

SHOHEI OHTANI WALK-OFF HOMER!

Joe Davis with the Dodgers call. ⚾️💣🎙️ #MLB pic.twitter.com/y9hpeDQCL6

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 3, 2025

While it’s easy to get swept up in a moment like that, Ohtani’s greatness is undeniable. Ravech placed the Dodgers star’s career in context, stating, “There probably hasn’t been an athlete who’s more well-known globally maybe since Tiger Woods, maybe Muhammad Ali. I think you could argue he’s the biggest and most recognizable athlete on the planet, especially because of his impact in Asia, which is why the Dodgers have invested in him.”

.@karlravechespn discusses Shohei Ohtani’s global stardom and impact on baseball 🙌

“There probably hasn’t been an athlete who’s more well-known globally maybe since Tiger Woods, maybe Muhammad Ali.” (via @PatMcAfeeShow) pic.twitter.com/1AqblxRFiw

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 3, 2025

For consideration, one could include legends like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, and prominent soccer stars such as Ronaldo, Messi, and Pelé in the discussion of the world’s most famous athletes over the last fifty years. Meanwhile, Taylor Twellman highlighted the gap between global fame and social media presence.

Imagine saying this when Instagram is this….

Messi – 505M
Ohtani – 9.3M https://t.co/hRqzFJ8ArH

— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) April 3, 2025

Nevertheless, Ohtani remains a contender in this conversation, and Ravech referenced the buzz surrounding him during the Dodgers’ recent trip to Japan. “When he went to Japan, the expectations were sky-high. Players were astonished by his immense popularity there; it’s something unparalleled in the U.S. He traveled there, his team won two games, and he hit a home run.”

The atmosphere surrounding Ohtani’s home run in Japan was nothing short of surreal.

Here’s the Japanese call of Shohei Ohtani hitting a home run at the Tokyo Dome. ⚾️🎙️pic.twitter.com/POFm6JMfk1

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 15, 2025

Ravech elaborated on the electric anticipation surrounding Ohtani’s bobblehead night, with thousands lining up for the giveaway. “Fans arrived as early as 7 or 8 in the morning to get the Ohtani bobblehead. As he stepped up to the plate that night, it seemed a given among players and fans alike that he would deliver something extraordinary. The level of expectation is remarkable. It’s like Tom Brady in his prime during a Super Bowl or Tiger Woods at a major championship; it wasn’t about whether he would hit a home run, but rather where the ball would land.”