Shohei Ohtani & the Two-Way Revolution l Baseball Bits

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Upon arrival from Japan, Shohei Ohtani reignited the discussion of two-way players in baseball. You used to think about Babe Ruth pitching when you thought of "players who hit and pitch," but Ohtani is shifting that conversation towards him a century later. Unfortunately, the Ohtani injury means that he will be relegated strictly to DH duty in 2019, but that doesn't mean the two-way dream dies. Hopefully the Shohei Ohtani Angels will be able to scrounge up enough pitching in his absence from the rotation.
In this episode of Baseball Bits, we will be exploring the two way player history of baseball. You'll see recognizable names, like Albert Spalding, but also learn about Bob Caruthers. In addition to that, we'll explore three exciting new two way player archetypes in the forms of Matt Davidson, Brendan McKay, and Michael Lorenzen. Two of them played in the majors last year, and the sights of Matt Davidson pitching and Michael Lorenzen hitting signified the future potential of two-way players, particularly with the MLB roster limit of 25. After all, you gotta love pitchers who rake.
Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig Batting Practice: • Video
Thomas Edison Baseball Film: • Early baseball film by...
Jonah Keri on Two-Way Trends: www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/tw...

[@alaskanbullworm8685]

This aged like a fine wine

[@benhaney9629]

Hmm, except for the guys he named. Lorenzen is a mediocre pitcher who never hits anymore. McKay had a cursed career. Bad injury, in time for Covid, in time for getting Covid himself, then some fucked up artery problem or something....

[@xavierdube434]

GiraffeNeckMarc phrase alaskanbullworm8685

[@itsjulianros]

That Will Smith sound effect got me.

[@FoolishBaseball]

YAA

[@benflikeid962]

I lost my shit. Hilarious!

[@SteefPip]

@thorjay t I'm looking forward to the Will Smith vs Will Smith matchup that is bound to happen eventually.

[@Salty_fenrir]

It keeps me coming back

[@hunterk7838]

Same, it was great

[@JordanCosine]

who’s here while he’s absolutely raking in 2021 so far

[@jeremykalishman6783]

Me

[@JamesxKo]

Me too

[@saints_endzone2486]

Me

[@EdwinAlguera]

He’s fucking killing bro

[@brycehawes38]

Here again after he won mvp

[@smurfman3700]

One more up and coming 2 way hitter: Big Sexy “Colon looking for his first hit of the year and HE DRIVES ONE, DEEP LEFT FIELD, BACK GOES UPTON, BACK NEAR THE WALL, ITS OUTTA HERE!!!!”

[@RedExplosion]

why can I hear this

[@MulkeyBlueQuartet]

*BORTOLO HAS DONE IT*

[@Jayymus]

*THE IMPOSSIBLE HAS HAPPENED*

[@theleftuprightatsoldierfield]

Large Attractive*

[@Jakeystar]

*AND THERE’LL BE NOBODY IN THE DUGOUT TO GREET HIM!*

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You're a genius, obsessively genuine fan who deserves praise for his amazing work. I'm envious that you've gone all in for what you're passionate about. Good for you man, I'm a fan and will keep watching and learning

[@FoolishBaseball]

Thank you so much!

[@blinkmeyoyomaster]

couldn't agree anymore with this comment! you the man, foolish! i've almost watched all your videos already lol

[@ethan1834]

This is the nicest comment I’ve ever seen lol

[@sweatyraider7241]

This still aged like a fine wine

[@ryonotrio6904]

I remember when Ohtani was drafted back in Japan to my home team. The hype was real there as much as in America. We were so sad to see him move on to MLB but proud at the same time

[@BryanChance]

Sorry, we have him for now. Thank you Japan. -:)

[@paddy2265]

Man, that 1918 season was amazing. I remember it like it was yesterday

[@eliwallace3825]

i had to watch my Brooklyn Robins from the rooftops though. wouldn't let me in :(

[@DustinTheGreat1123]

Will Smith is a really impressive two way player. Good reliever and great catcher. Decent acting career too!

[@ngu_kunalt2]

He even changed skin tones for his acting roles

[@RagingAcid]

I'm gonna buy myself an Ohtani body pillow.

[@FoolishBaseball]

My Babe Ruth body pillow reeks of whiskey.

[@RagingAcid]

@@FoolishBaseball Fully authentic

[@7aflores7]

Ohtani senpai

[@paysonfox88]

OHHH lord Ainz!!

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Foolish Baseball how do you know?

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"For dudes who love watchin' guys" Nothing better than a bunch of dudes just being guys, yknow? Also, Baseball Bits is by far and away the best baseball content I've ever seen. The stellar editing, great humour, 8-bit theme, and amazing classic video game soundtrack amazingly compliment the interesting and varied topics you explore. Keep crushing it Foolish

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Underrated Comment. And Underrated Channel.

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imagine going 54-5 with a 1.59ERA

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Imagine that not even being your life highlight.

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Foolish Baseball forreal

[@fartfruit1157]

Imagine the home run leader having a sub 3 ERA... wait...

[@omny6686]

Imagine batting while 2 outfielders are smoking cigs and the first basemen drinking from a flask after every play

[@dicedicedaiKomusaPS]

The fact that Ohtani responded to this hype and went way beyond is insane.

[@upkz762]

Kinda sad that Ohtani didn't get picked up by an NL team. Imagine the amount of damage that the Dodgers could pull by never having to consider switching the pitcher in a high stakes situation

[@nononsense424]

Ohtani specifically wanted to play in the AL so he could have more at bats. If he played in the NL hed only hit when he was pitching because theres no way a team would let him waste his arm in the outfield. Believe me you want him on an AL team if you want him hitting.

[@TheShaggy1324]

I agree that he should be on an AL team, but also, you have to make sure he makes as many starts as possible in NL parks.

[@supersasukemaniac]

he's playing the style he's used too. In Japan he played fr the Hokkaido Nippon-ham Fighters, the Fighters play in the NPB's Pacific League, which also uses the DH rule.

[@yessir7630]

Now it's sad yea

[@michaelg34]

damn, here we are!

[@ChowDownDetroit]

We need an updated video about what Ohtani is doing in 2023

[@FuzzyFromYT]

YAAAAAY!! NEW EPISODE!

[@FoolishBaseball]

How many more until I get to meet Bryce Harper?

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Hi

[@Bainbob282]

69th like

[@archergg9226]

This aged well

[@bmsvg7356]

The Phoenix Wright theme got me giddy. Such a fan boy.

[@Wolfeson28]

It's interesting looking at how, despite the recent attention, the concept of the two-way player really hasn't caught on in practice. The problem is that, to be a viable two-way player, you almost have to be Shohei Ohtani on both sides of the ball. Otherwise, someone who's just mediocre at one role or the other doesn't really make the roster flexibility worth it. A good hitter who's only a mediocre pitcher isn't going to be used over a better dedicated pitcher in any situation other than the sort of blowout where a position player would pitch anyway. A good pitcher who's a mediocre hitter isn't worth using in the field or as a pinch-hitter over a dedicated position player/hitter in anything except a desperation moment, especially if it's a reliever where inserting them into the lineup severely restricts your ability to bring them in to actually pitch when you need them. And a player who can do both things at only a mediocre level just isn't worth having on the roster over someone who can do one thing or the other at a higher level. I would be interested to see, though, if there's enough data to figure out how well WAR calculations support arguments for or against two-way players. What level of hitting and pitching performance would a player have to achieve to make the role worthwhile, and what's the minimum level of performance a player could have in their weaker role to justify being a two-way player instead of focusing exclusively on their stronger role?

[@themoosayscow]

Now we have Stevie Wilkerson, the man that dared to ask, what if I just threw it slower

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Thank you Zach!

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Bravo! Bravo! Oh, Bravo! How I love this sport and it's rich history!

[@FoolishBaseball]

There's certainly a lot. Someone already pointed out that I skipped over the many great two-way players in Negro League history.

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negro

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Great channel Really like the “bits of baseball used content by” ending very classy More consistent videos please

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"YAAAA" -Wille Smith circa 1964

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[@isaacbrauerdesigns8693]

Love how you gave time to talk about Lorenzen! I hope he will truly become a difference maker and possibly become our next center fielder. #Reds2019!

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We'll see. I really like him. He will be a really cool story line to follow.

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I remember watching him play for CSUF. He was the starting CF and would close the game in the 9th. He's a beast.

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Instead he's ironically now with my angels lmao #Angels2022

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All baseball videos should end with a clip from the Eric Andre Show.

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Glad to hear you like both!

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I will!

[@bubbas9384]

Great vid

[@mclaynejackson5077]

Very great content I really enjoy your stuff and hope to see a lot more. The Angels are currently developing 3 guys this spring to be prospective two way utility players and it’s really interesting, the other day in a game against the Mariners Jared Walsh pitched, then was take off of the mound, and placed at first base, later hit a double in the game to tie it up. It even made him eligible to pitch later if the angels wanted him to. So cool.

[@FoolishBaseball]

Thanks for the info. It seems like the Angels have embraced Ohtani's success and are very interested in cultivating someone with a similar skillset. I wish them luck!

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I love how the subheadings for every chapter were the names of Strokes songs. Nice touch!

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Was wondering if anyone would notice that :O

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Remember Diamondbacks pitcher Micah Owings? In 2007 he won 8 games as a rookie starter while batting .333 with 4 HR. One game he pitched 6 shutout innings while going 4 for 4 with 3 doubles. The Dbacks used him as a pinch hitter and considered using him at first on his "off" days but I don't know why they didn't. I wonder if he would have gotten more of a chance at being a two way player if he was playing today.

[@rickmorty2171]

I remember Owings going 6 shutout innings and 4-4, one of the coolest things i’ve seen. That dude could rake

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Thanks for the Kieschnick love!

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Thanks, I appreciate it. At times, it can feel like I need to be uploading often to get anywhere. I do my best to take my time.

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Thanks man!

[@takabrak2542]

your music is awesome dude

[@paysonfox88]

A player like this comes along once in a generation. Cherish Shohei Ohtani while he lasts. The only MLB player to be a truly great hitter and pitcher was the great Babe Ruth. In 1918-19 He had seasons which included batting over 340 with around 30 HR in just 350 AB or so. I'm doing this by memory, so don't get on me. Ruth also pitched with an Era south of 2 at least one season , and his lifetime ERA was only 2.28 in over 1000 IP. The manager of the Red Socks was so reluctant to let him bat because he said "what will I tell the Fans when they see me turn the greatest Pitcher in the American League into an outfielder?" He was saying that Ruth was the best Pitcher besides Walter Johnson and Cy Young, that he'd ever seen. I've waited my whole life to see Ohtani or somebody like him do Ruth things. If he turns out to even make a couple of all star games as either a DH or a pitcher, I'd say that's a win. In his rookie season, he did show promise to do both. Solid Era as starter, and 20 HR with a .285 BA at the dish. Very solid player.

[@michaelhall5429]

Another great video. Your quality is top of the game on KZbin. Hope the sub count keeps growing.

[@FoolishBaseball]

You and me both!

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Hey I just watched a two minute ad for you. You better be grateful >:( keep up the videos man we can tell you put a lot of work into them

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$$$

[@cooljammer00]

Great video, but the Ace Attorney music was distracting....because I love that series and couldn't stop humming along with it.

[@drydollar5549]

After agreeing with all other passionate comments for your work below, the Ron Swanson voice wants to say: I like your content. Make more, please.