In grainy black-and-white video, and in the pinstripes of the most legendary team in sport, Ruth is the most famous player in baseball history. In high-definition red, and in a halo bright enough to eclipse Mike Trout, Ohtani is the most celebrated player on the planet today.
"There is nothing but joy that I remember from Willie Smith," said Buck Rodgers, the Angels' catcher in 1964.
"I remember he had a good swing," Angels manager Bill Rigney told The Times. "But we didn't get him for his bat."
In his first month with the Angels, he pitched, primarily in relief.