If baseball fans are lucky, Shohei Ohtani’s height in the batter’s box and maybe even on the pitching mound could be seen for at least another decade.

But in the eyes of many, the 30-year-old is already on the shortlist of the greatest sports legends of all time.

The Japanese superstar added another to his absurd feats on Thursday, becoming the first player in Major League Baseball history to 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in one season. He accomplished both goals in grand fashion, with his first three-home run game, his first six-hit game, and a franchise and career-high 10 RBIs in Miami.

“You could definitely argue that he’s better than Babe Ruth,” Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo said Friday. “Everyone always talks about Babe Ruth and how he’s one of the best baseball players of all time, if not the best.”

“I think we’re playing with the modern Babe Ruth here.”

Ohtani may be in only his eighth season in the Major Leagues after spending five years in Japan, but it’s fair to wonder if he’s already engraved a plaque in Cooperstown.

He is the clear favorite to win his third Most Valuable Player Award this season. according to BetMGM.

“I think his speed and potential promise one of the best careers of all time,” Astros outfielder Jason Heyward said. “Obviously, as players, we all know he has to keep playing and finish his career, but I think he has the potential to do so many more special things and put up numbers that one day we’ll look back home and say, ‘We don’t know if anyone will reach those.'”

Ohtani could further enhance his legendary status in the coming weeks when he makes his postseason debut. His Los Angeles Dodgers qualified for October baseball with Thursday’s win and will be among the favorites to win the World Series. There is even a small chance he could return to the hill during the postseason following offseason elbow surgery.

“We leave it to other people to decide who the all-time greatest are, but there’s no denying that what we’re seeing is incredibly special,” said Josh Rawitch, president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. “People are excited about what they’re seeing, and that’s very understandable.”

Around this time last season, Ohtani’s career took a major hit. The two-way star had a phenomenal season for the Los Angeles Angels at bat and on the mound. when he suffered a torn ligament in his throwing arm on August 23. This resulted in a second major surgery on his throwing arm.

But the Dodgers were not deterred by the injury in free agency and snapped up Ohtani for a 700 million dollar 10-year contract This was by far the highest score in MLB history.

It’s safe to say that it’s been worth it so far.

Ohtani was able to focus solely on hitting and had arguably his best offensive season, batting .294 with 51 home runs and 120 RBIs, stealing 51 bases and getting caught just four times.

Some, like Angels manager Ron Washington and Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck, said they would reserve judgment on Ohtani’s performance in Cooperstown until after his career is over. But there is little doubt that he is heading in the right direction.

“I want to look at the entire career,” Houck said. “But the milestones he’s achieved so far and a historic season like this show that he’s definitely the best player in the game right now.”

Washington said, “Let’s let his career develop and we’ll see what his numbers look like. If he stays healthy and can play as long as he wants, he will definitely be considered for the Hall of Fame.”

Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker competes with Ohtani in the NL West and said it’s easy to respect a guy who works so hard.

“He seems to be doing his job right,” Walker said. “And in the spotlight that he’s in, it’s just as impressive to keep his cool and continue to play at the level that he’s supposed to play at. Huge market. Huge spotlight. And for him to perform so consistently is impressive.”

Astros pitcher Yusei Kikuchi – also Japanese – said Ohtani has already established himself as one of the best.

“He’s probably going to win his third MVP soon and he’s done things that no other player has done: He’s a two-way player who can go 50/50,” Kikuchi said through an interpreter. “So it’s hard for me to judge that, but I think he’s probably Hall of Fame eligible.”

For baseball fans interested in advanced statistics, Ohtani has already achieved a WAR of 42.3 in his career. according to baseball-ference.comwhich isn’t a crazy number. Most players in the Hall of Fame have at least 50-60 WAR.

But the uniqueness of Ohtani’s career – particularly his status as arguably the greatest two-way player of all time – means he could put down his bat and glove today and probably be inducted into the Hall of Fame with ease.

“It’s hard to say no,” Rangers outfielder Travis Jankowski said. “I know it’s so early. I think he can have average years for the rest of his career, and he’s a Hall of Famer. … He’ll probably win the MVP, and to win MVP as a DH, that was unthinkable before, so it’s incredible.”

Rawitch said Ohtani has been “incredibly generous” with his contributions to the Hall of Fame over the years and has a great understanding of the history of the game. The Hall of Fame’s upcoming major exhibit, opening next summer, is called “Yakyu/Baseball” and will explore the intertwined baseball history of Japan and the United States.

The focus is on Japanese greats such as Ichiro Suzuki, Hideki Matsui and Hideo Nomo, but American players who have played in Japan are also featured.

And of course there will be a lot about Ohtani, one of the greatest in both countries.

“This guy transcends the game,” said Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton. “He’s special. He’s going to go down as one of the best players of all time, and he’s not going to pitch this year. What Shohei has done for the game is remarkable and exciting. We need something like that.”

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AP Baseball Writers Mike Fitzpatrick in New York and Stephen Hawkins in Arlington, Texas, AP Sports Writers Kristie Rieken in Houston and Steve Megargee in Milwaukee and freelancers Ken Powtak in Boston and Gary Schatz in Cincinnati contributed to this article.

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APMLB: https://www.apnews.com/hub/MLB