Shohei Ohtani's Incredible 2021 Season: A Deep Dive

What's up, baseball fans! Today, we're diving deep into one of the most electrifying seasons in recent memory: Shohei Ohtani's 2021 campaign. This wasn't just a good year for Ohtani; it was a year that rewrote the history books and solidified his place as a generational talent. We're talking about a guy who absolutely crushed it both on the mound and at the plate, doing things we haven't seen since Babe Ruth. Get ready, because we're breaking down Shohei Ohtani's 2021 ERA and so much more. This was a season where "two-way player" wasn't just a label; it was a description of pure, unadulterated magic happening before our eyes. So grab your popcorn, guys, because this is gonna be epic!

The Pitching Prowess: Ohtani's ERA in 2021

Let's start with the part of his game that often gets overshadowed by his slugging – his pitching. In 2021, Shohei Ohtani's ERA was nothing short of phenomenal. He finished the season with a 2.67 ERA over 130.1 innings pitched. Now, for those of you who aren't deep into the sabermetrics, what does a 2.67 ERA actually mean? It means that for every nine innings Ohtani pitched, he allowed, on average, 2.67 earned runs. To put that into perspective, that's really good. In the American League in 2021, the average ERA was around 4.33. So, Ohtani wasn't just better than average; he was significantly better, sitting among the league's elite starters. He struck out 156 batters, which translates to an impressive 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings. This shows his ability to overpower hitters and dominate lineups. His WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched) was 1.045, meaning he was consistently limiting baserunners. This combination of low earned runs and limited baserunners demonstrates a pitcher who was in complete control. It's easy to focus on the home runs, but Ohtani's development as a frontline starting pitcher in 2021 was a massive part of his overall success and why he became such a captivating figure in baseball. The fact that he was doing this after undergoing Tommy John surgery a few years prior only adds to the incredible narrative. He wasn't just a guy throwing hard; he was a pitcher with a full arsenal, mixing nasty sliders, deceptive changeups, and a fastball that consistently sat in the high 90s. When you combine this pitching performance with his offensive numbers, you start to understand why 2021 was so special for Shohei.

The Batting Barrage: Ohtani's Offensive Explosion

Now, let's talk about the other side of the Ohtani phenomenon – his hitting. In 2021, Shohei Ohtani didn't just hit; he mashed. He ended the season with an astounding 46 home runs, placing him third in the entire MLB. But it wasn't just the raw home run total; it was the way he hit them. He had a remarkable .257 batting average and an incredible .965 OPS (On-Base Plus Slugging). For context, an OPS over .900 is considered elite. He drove in 100 runs and scored 103 runs himself, showcasing his impact on the game from start to finish. What's truly mind-blowing is that he achieved these numbers while also dedicating significant energy and focus to his pitching duties. He wasn't just a designated hitter; he was a starting pitcher who also happened to be one of the best hitters in the league. This duality is what makes Ohtani so unique. His slugging percentage was .597, which means when he made contact, it was often for extra bases. He wasn't just hitting singles; he was hitting doubles, triples, and of course, those towering home runs that became his signature. The sheer power he displayed was on another level, with many of his blasts traveling well over 400 feet. It was a constant reminder that this guy was not just good, but historically good. The excitement every time he stepped into the batter's box was palpable. Fans knew they were witnessing something special, a blend of power and athleticism rarely seen. His performance at the plate in 2021 was a testament to his dedication and incredible natural talent, proving he could hang with the best hitters in the game even while carrying the immense responsibility of being an ace pitcher.

The MVP Season: Combining Pitching and Hitting

So, how did all this come together? In 2021, Shohei Ohtani wasn't just good at baseball; he was arguably the most valuable player in baseball. The culmination of his stellar pitching, highlighted by his 2.67 ERA, and his prodigious hitting, with 46 home runs and 100 RBIs, led him to win the American League MVP award unanimously. This wasn't just an award; it was a statement. It acknowledged that Ohtani's unique ability to excel at both disciplines was not just a novelty but a force that fundamentally changed how we view the game. He became the first player in MLB history to be named an All-Star as both a pitcher and a position player in the same season, a feat that underscores his incredible versatility and dominance. His WAR (Wins Above Replacement) was astronomical, reflecting his immense value to the Los Angeles Angels. He was a walking, talking highlight reel, capable of striking out the side in one inning and then hitting a go-ahead home run in the next. The narrative around Ohtani in 2021 was captivating. Analysts and fans alike marveled at his stamina, his mental fortitude, and his sheer talent. He proved that the