USA Today called Shohei Ohtani’s Game 4 the greatest single-game performance in sports history.
X spent the next 48 hours looping highlights, posting ERA graphics, and drooling over how dominant the Dodgers’ rotation has been. And they’ve earned it.
Blake Snell struck out 10 with one hit allowed. Yoshinobu Yamamoto followed with a complete game three-hitter. Tyler Glasnow owns a 0.68 ERA this postseason. Ohtani’s at 1.40. Even Roki Sasaki, usually a starter, is closing games with a 99.2 mph fastball. Together they’ve held opponents to 2.8 runs a game and a .118 average in the NLCS. That’s not hype; that’s history.
Albert Pujols attends the 40th annual Great Sports Legends Dinner at the New York Hilton Midtown on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, in New York. (Photo by CJ Rivera/Invision/AP)
But Shohei’s masterpiece came with a cushion. The Dodgers were already up 3-0 in the series. The champagne was probably chilling by the fourth inning. That’s dominance inside safety glass — impressive, but protected.
Albert Pujols never got that insulation.
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In Game 3 of the 2011 World Series in Arlington, he gave St. Louis its big moment the hard way. Five hits, three home runs, six RBIs, fourteen total bases — still a record on the biggest stage. He joined Babe Ruth and Reggie Jackson as the only men ever to hit three in a Series game. No load management, no algorithm behind him. Just a sore elbow, a city on his back, and Tony La Russa trying to stitch together innings with prayers and Ryan Franklin’s 8.46 ERA.
Ryan Theriot, Skip Schumaker, Daniel Descalso, Nick Punto — glue guys, not a murderers’ row. Pujols carried the rest.
Afterward, he just went about his night.
“Right away, man. And I’m not lying to you. I went to the hotel, I grabbed a late dinner because I had my wife and son here, I went to bed late… It wasn’t until after the Series was over that I was like, ‘Wow, that was pretty cool.’”
He didn’t turn water to wine or walk on water — but for one night in Arlington, it sure felt close.
No champagne, no victory lap, no hashtags. Just a man, El Hombre, who did his work, gave thanks, and moved on.
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, left, and Albert Pujols (5) shake hands and bow after their 4-2 win over the Houston Astros after a baseball game Sunday, April 25, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
The 2025 Dodgers spend $350 million. Highest in the room.
The 2011 Cardinals spent $115 million. Adorable.
Pujols had two Gold Gloves to defend every night. No DH breaks, no off switch. He played both ways — offense and defense — until the job was finished.
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Ohtani’s night was polished. Pujols’ was earned. One came with margin; one came with miles.
But Pujols remains the standard — the player who could win the game, fix the inning, and carry the weight without ever asking for rest. He didn’t just show up; he stayed. All nine innings. All night.
And if they played basketball?
I’m still taking Albert. He’d smile, back you down, hit four, and call it a night.
I still gotta give the edge to Albert — even though he’s almost 46 years old. Might’ve hit 4 homers.
Thanks for scrolling this far. I’m not trying to offend USA Today, the Dodgers, or any of Shohei Ohtani’s friends, family, or fans. And honestly, Albert Pujols would be the first to give all glory to God for his gifts to even be mentioned in the same conversation.
