Alex Rodriguez Says Barry Bonds Is Best MLB Player Ever, Shohei Ohtani Is Most Unique

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani's ability to excel both as a hitter and pitcher sets him apart for most players in MLB history, but one legend isn't ready to give him the title of best player of all time.

During an appearance on The Zach Gelb Show, Alex Rodriguez was asked if Ohtani is the best player he's ever seen, and he said he feels that title belongs to Barry Bonds.

"No, the best player I've ever seen is Barry Bonds. Like, head and shoulders above everyone, almost like Michael Jordan, just a class of his own," Rodriguez said. "Barry Bonds was so good, it's hard to articulate how good this guy was. He's also baseball royalty with Willie Mays as his godfather and also the great Bobby Bonds as his dad. Barry Bonds is in a class of his own."

Bonds is MLB's all-time home runs leader with 762. He was also a 14-time All-Star and seven-time National League MVP. However, like Rodriguez, he has yet to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame because of his connection to performance-enhancing drugs.

Rodriguez conceded that Ohtani does have an advantage over Bonds because of his prowess as a pitcher. Ohtani hasn't pitched since 2023 while recovering from elbow surgery, but he's expected to return to the mound eventually.

"However, Barry doesn't pitch, and Barry can't throw 100 miles an hour, even though Barry would probably tell you he could," Rodriguez said. "But as far as the most unique, most special player that I've seen, it has to be Shohei Ohtani, especially when he's able to pitch as well, because that only becomes a class of two: Shohei and Babe Ruth."