In the world of baseball, especially in the American West, it’s rare to hear praise between two traditional rivals like the Dodgers and the Giants. But this time, things were different.

Appearing on a popular American radio show, Giants CEO Larry Baer unexpectedly spoke of Shohei Ohtani with almost absolute respect. He admitted that the Giants had made a serious effort to recruit Ohtani when the Japanese superstar entered the free agency market.

According to Baer, ​​the San Francisco team was even willing to make a financial offer equivalent to the record contract Ohtani ultimately signed with the Dodgers. Even so, they couldn’t convince the player considered unique in modern baseball history.

Ohtani eventually signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers – a deal that shocked the entire sports world when it was announced.

However, what made Baer’s statement particularly noteworthy wasn’t the story of the failed transfer market. What was remarkable was the way he spoke about Ohtani.

According to Baer, ​​Ohtani wasn’t just an ordinary superstar. He called him “a unique phenomenon” and a player who brings positive value to the entire sport of baseball.

Those words carried immense weight, coming from the leader of a team that had been rivals with the Dodgers for over a century.

The Giants’ Rivalry is considered one of the most fierce rivalrys in MLB history. The two teams competed from their days in New York before moving to California in 1958. Every game between them was filled with tension, where every detail could become a symbol of honor.

Therefore, the Giants CEO’s public praise of the Dodgers’ biggest star came as a surprise to many.

But according to Baer, ​​the respect for Ohtani transcends the boundaries of rivalries.

He revealed that when the Giants pursued Ohtani during his free agency period, they were prepared for him to continue playing a dual role – both pitching and hitting – just as he had done in MLB history.

This shows that the Giants truly understood Ohtani’s unique value.

In over a century of modern baseball, very few players have been able to excel at both pitcher and hitter simultaneously. Ohtani not only did that, but did it with MVP-level performance.

Therefore, many MLB experts call him the rarest player of the 21st century.

Larry Baer even admitted that Ohtani’s presence – even on a rival team – was good for the entire league.

According to him, superstars like Ohtani help MLB grow, attract new fans, and make the sport more exciting.

Not only that, Baer also drew attention by speaking quite positively about the Dodgers – something rarely seen from a Giants leader.

He argued that the Dodgers are not “baseball destroyers” as some critics claim, but rather a formidable opponent that forces other teams to raise their standards.

Baer even likened the Dodgers to “a dragon to be defeated” – a necessary challenge to make the sport more interesting.

And at the heart of that “dragon” is Shohei Ohtani.

Since joining the Dodgers, Ohtani has not only become the iconic face of the team but also a global star of MLB. His performances on the field – from massive home runs to overwhelming innings – make every Dodgers game a major event.

Many believe that Ohtani’s presence has completely shifted the balance of power in MLB.

The Dodgers are now more than just a strong team. They are the center of global attention.

And interestingly, even their biggest rivals have to acknowledge that.

The Giants CEO’s praise, therefore, is not just a polite statement.

It’s more like a rare recognition from the other side of the court.

An acknowledgment that in this era of baseball, Shohei Ohtani is more than just a star.

He is a phenomenon that even his rivals cannot deny.