Ken Griffey Jr., a former slugger with 630 career home runs in Major League Baseball, has spoken about the debate surrounding Shohei Ohtani and Babe Ruth.

Ohtani, who made his Major League debut with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018, gained attention as a two-way player. He has taken the mound 86 times, winning 38 games and losing 19 with an earned run average of 3.01. In 2022, he achieved his first double-digit wins in his debut season with 15 wins and 9 losses, as well as his personal best for a single season.

Babe Ruth, known for his exceptional abilities as both a pitcher and a hitter, took the mound 163 times, recording 94 wins, 46 losses, 4 saves, and 1 hold with an earned run average of 2.28. Additionally, he posted a .342 batting average over 2,503 games, with 2,873 hits, 714 home runs, 2,214 RBIs, 2,174 runs scored, 123 stolen bases, and an OPS of 1.164.

According to a report from Japanese sports media 'Tokyo Sports' on the 17th, Ken Griffey Jr. held a baseball clinic for youth coaches at the Tokyo Dome that day.

The baseball clinic featured a luxurious lineup including Ken Griffey Jr., distinguished catcher Jason Kendall, who boasts 2,195 career hits, and Jeremy Guthrie, a pitcher with 91 career wins.

As the hitting instructor that day, Ken Griffey Jr. was asked, 'What is the most important element in hitting?' and he noted, 'I think hitting is like dancing. It’s important to match the rhythm of the opposing pitcher rather than your own rhythm,' providing a unique expression that made his hitting theory easily understandable.

After the clinic, Ken Griffey Jr. met with reporters and said about Shohei Ohtani, 'There is no one in baseball to compare with him. For example, he is sometimes compared to Babe Ruth, but Ruth played in a league with 8 or 10 teams at the time. Ohtani faces 30 teams, so I think the situation is different.'

Ohtani underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in September 2023 and played only as a hitter last year. Ken Griffey Jr. expressed hope for Ohtani's return to form this season, wishing for a revival of his two-way playing.

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