Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani already has two of Sporting News 140 Greatest Sports Moments

The Los Angeles Dodgers made a strong bid for Shohei Ohtani a few years ago in free agency, landing the two-way superstar on a massive $700 million contract.

But, it's worth it. Ohtani is one of the best power hitters of this generation and is phenomenal on the base paths. And don't forget that he's a good pitcher as well. In fact, some of his most iconic moments have come as a pitcher.

In Sporting News 140 Greatest Sports Moments since 1886, Ohtani is featured twice. While he's been in the Majors for a bit, it's still incredibly impressive, as other superstars, like Albert Pujols, Mike Trout, and Aaron Judge, aren't featured once.

Shohei Ohtani featured twice on SN's 140 Greatest Moments

But what is he featured for? He's featured once for some ridiculously impressive postseason heroics this past season, and another for one at-bat in the World Baseball Classic that's one of the coolest sports moments in recent memory.

SN 140 Moments: No. 140 - Shohei Ohtani strikes out Mike Trout to win 2023 World Baseball Classic

It's impossible to set the stage any better than it was in 2023. Ohtani was facing Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout in a 3-2 game in the ninth inning for the WBC championship.

This was their first head-to-head matchup in their careers, and it came on the biggest stage possible (outside of a World Series). With Trout having a chance to tie the game for Team USA, facing his teammate in Ohtani, the theatrics don't get much better than this.

Ohtani won the battle, striking out Trout for one of the coolest and most iconic sports moments in recent history. It's earned the 140th spot out of 140 Greatest Moments, but being featured is still very noteworthy.

SN 140 Moments: No. 118 - Shohei Ohtani hits 3 HRs, strikes out 10 in playoff game

Ohtani's second appearance on the 140 Greatest Moments in sports history, according to Sporting News, might be one of the single-best postseason games any MLB player has ever had.

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Ohtani, going up against the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS Game 4, took the mound and also slotted into the lineup as the designated hitter. He then had one of the best games ever.

The Dodgers superstar went six shutout innings, striking out 10 batters in the process. And at the plate, Ohtani added three home runs.

Either feat would've been an incredible day. But, for one player to do both in the same game, let alone a postseason game, highlighted just how incredible Ohtani is as a player.

Shohei Ohtani is carving out legendary career

While Ohtani isn't young, and he's been in the Majors for a while now, it doesn't change the fact that he's already had some of the most iconic and legendary sports moments since 1886.

Ohtani is carving out a legendary career, and these two moments honored in Sporting News 140 Greatest Sports Moments only further highlight just how incredible Ohtani is.

The Dodgers superstar might be one of the greatest athletes ever already, as he's cemented his legacy with two of recent sports history's best moments over the last few years.

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