Shohei Ohtani becomes Los Angeles Angels’ all-time single month home run leader

Shohei Ohtani is phenomenal. But you don’t need to hear that from me. It is no longer about debating whether he is as good as Babe Ruth, or better. No more do statisticians need to twist themselves into ever more uncomfortable positions to show by obscure formulae and arcane categories how great he is.

No. Now there is simple, straightforward, and empirical proof that puts Ohtani above all others.

Home runs.

Specifically, how many home runs can be hit in one calendar month. Even the fans who eschew modern statistics like WAR and wRC+ can’t deny the simplicity. Those who recoil at the idea of “launch angle” or “barrels” must take note of the brutal honesty in a ball hit beyond the fence.

Ohtani hit his 14th home run of the month of June on Thursday afternoon in the Angels’ 9-7 loss to the White Sox. With that shot, his MLB-leading 29th of the season, Ohtani has now hit more home runs in a calendar month than any other Angels player in history.

The mark that he surpasses of 13 home runs held by… himself. At least, in part. Ohtani shared that record with Albert Pujols and Tim Salmon. In this new mark, Ohtani stands all alone.

Through June, Ohtani has been spectacular. On top of his 14 home runs, he has 28 RBIs and a 1.415OPS. Off of the mound, Ohtani has a 3.26 ERA on 30.1 innings pitched with 37 strikeouts.

Getting the second-most fan votes in the All-Star race, Ohtani is automatically in the starting lineup, and his team mate and fellow All-Star Mike Trout is in awe.

“It’s been an amazing month,” says Trout. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it. It’s something we’ll never see again. And I have front row seats watching it. It’s pretty special what he’s doing.”

So whether you are all aboard team Ohtani, or you still are not convinced, we all need to agree that he is something special, and the numbers can’t be denied.