Shohei Ohtani's $700M contract with LA Dodgers sparks online comparisons to Babe Ruth

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA: Securing a monumental milestone in sports history, Japanese baseball prodigy Shohei Ohtani aka 'Shotime' has inked a groundbreaking 10-year contract worth $700 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The announcement culminated days of intense speculation regarding the future of this exceptional two-way star, who spent the past six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels.

MLB chose the X platform as the official channel for the announcement, proclaiming, "Shohei Ohtani announces he is signing with the Dodgers."

Shohei Ohtani signs $700M deal with LA Dodgers

As highlighted by the BBC, Shohei Ohtani has recently inked a record-breaking 10-year, $700 million deal, making it the largest contract ever in the history of Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States.

This landmark agreement propels Ohtani into the elite echelons of the world's highest-earning athletes, solidifying his status as one of baseball's all-time greats.

The much-anticipated move to the Dodgers, as detailed by the BBC, marks the culmination of weeks filled with intense speculation about Ohtani's future.

Opting for free agency after a commendable six-year stint with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani triggered a fierce bidding war, with the reported contract value placing him in the same league as sports megastars such as Lionel Messi and LeBron James.

According to BBC, Ohtani, who secured the American League MVP award in 2021 and repeated the feat despite a shortened 2023 season due to injury, played a pivotal role in Japan's historic triumph over the US in the World Baseball Classic championship final in March.

This victory is particularly significant for a nation where baseball holds a premier status.

The Guardian reports that Ohtani's agent, Nez Balelo said, "This is a unique, historic contract for a unique, historic player. He is excited to begin this partnership, and he structured his contract to reflect a true commitment from both sides to long-term success.”

Fans compare Shohei Ohtani to Babe Ruth

After the announcement of the whopping $700 million deal between Ohtani and the LA Dodgers, numerous users stepped forward to share their perspectives.

A user wrote, "700 million is insane"

Another user wrote, "Babe Ruth version 2.0??"

A user stated, "SHO TIME IS THE BEST"