[Other Sport] Do you know who Shohei Ohtani is?

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

I was talking to some friends about Shohei Ohtani when one of them said that he was one of the most famous sportsmen in the world.

Now, he's undeniably incredibly famous in Japan and probably pretty famous in the states but is he really famous the world over? This isn't a question of his ability(there is no question - he's one of the all time greats in his chosen field) or whether he should be famous but if he is actually famous the world over.

So, do YOU know who he is?

 

[Flounce]

I guessed Sumo Wrestler - wrong!

Is your friend a Yank perchance?

 

[Guinness Boy]

"Multiple votes are allowed"

Yeah but no but yeah but no but yeah.


(No I don't and I've lived in Japan)

 

[SeagullinExile]

I was talking to some friends about Shohei Ohtani when one of them said that he was one of the most famous sportsmen in the world.

Now, he's undeniably incredibly famous in Japan and probably pretty famous in the states but is he really famous the world over? This isn't a question of his ability(there is no question - he's one of the all time greats in his chosen field) or whether he should be famous but if he is actually famous the world over.

So, do YOU know who he is?

Wouldn’t say he’s the most famous. Certainly one of the highest paid though.

 

[sydney]

baseball , sumo , sticking baby fish up their rear...?? no idea.(have seen vid of latter)

 

[Guinness Boy]

Spoiler

Googled him and it is the sport I thought of, but still never heard of him. I have, however, heard of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters who he played for, which remain one of my favourite team names ever

 

[Seagull58]

I know who he is but only because his 50 homers and 50 steals warranted a report on BBC Sport a week or two back. As with many top US sportsmen and women, he is virtually unknown in most of the world.

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

"Multiple votes are allowed"

Yeah but no but yeah but no but yeah.


(No I don't and I've lived in Japan)

Bugger.

Can you fix that please?

To be fair Ohtani would have been at primary school when you were here.

 

[Beanstalk]

If you even have a passing interest he's by far the most famous baseball player in the world at the moment.

If you don't have any interest in baseball then you'll have no chance of knowing who he is.

I guess this would essentially be the same as asking Americans who Ben Stokes/Virat Kohli is...

 

[Guinness Boy]

Bugger.

Can you fix that please?

To be fair Ohtani would have been at primary school when you were here.

Tried but computer says no (to continue the Little Britain catch phrases).

 

[sydney]

Spoiler

Googled him and it is the sport I thought of, but still never heard of him. I have, however, heard of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters who he played for, which remain one of my favourite team names ever

tsk ...why..??

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

I guessed Sumo Wrestler - wrong!

Is your friend a Yank perchance?

No, a mix of brits and japanese but we're all living in Japan so we obviously know who he is.

It's an interesting question because he's genuinely phenomenal in his sport but it doesn't have major global appeal so i was wondering if he has transcended that limitation.

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

Tried but computer says no (to continue the Little Britain catch phrases).

View attachment 189770

Ah well. Thanks for trying.

 

[Audax]

I've seen him mentioned a time or two, and could (correctly) recall the sport and position he plays. So I voted "yes" given the wording of the question.

But would I have named him if asked about famous sportspeople? Nope, never. For that I would have gone with footballers, Formula 1 / Indycar / motorsports drivers, Moto GP riders, cricketers, and maybe 1 or 2 names from baseball / basketball / NFL in the US (depending on who popped into mind on any given day).

 

[WhingForPresident]

Yes, but only because I was in Japan earlier this year. Wouldn't know otherwise.

 

[Flounce]

No, a mix of brits and japanese but we're all living in Japan so we obviously know who he is.

It's an interesting question because he's genuinely phenomenal in his sport but it doesn't have major global appeal so i was wondering if he has transcended that limitation.

Does Cole Palmer have worldwide recognition, especially in the USA and Canada though?

I confess to struggling to know many except the most famous cricketers as I have zero interest though.

 

[Bozza]

I do, yes, but I suspect 95%, or more, of Brits would have no idea at all, and given it's a relatively niche sport, his fame may not extend too far outside of the US and Japan.

 

[Whitechapel]

I voted Yes but if he’s not the person involved in the gambling scandal then I have voted incorrectly.

I would be able to name a good few current NBA players and a handful of NHL players but MLB is almost tied with NHL and NASCAR on 0.

 

[Guinness Boy]

tsk ...why..??

Well, it's not exactly Crawley Town, is it?

 

[Gwylan]

I guess this would essentially be the same as asking Americans who Ben Stokes/Virat Kohli is...

Not really: cricket is the second most followed sport in the world while baseball is a niche sport, played seriously in just one country.