The best two-way player in the history of the sport earned his $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers by hitting countless home runs while also dominating opposing hitters on the mound. Unfortunately for baseball fans, Shohei Ohtani could not pitch in 2024 for his new team, so they had to settle for a one-way season in which he clubbed 54 homers, swiped 59 bags and won both National League MVP and a World Series.
When Ohtani started to ramp up his throwing program to build back arm strength following surgery to his UCL, Dodgers fans were pinching themselves with excitement -- especially given that he stopped stealing bags so he could pitch without risking an injury this year.