Shohei Ohtani Is Better Athlete Than Messi, Jokic & Mahomes, Ex-W.S. Champ Says

Los Angeles fans ain’t just getting a glimpse at the best player in baseball in Shohei Ohtani, they’re looking at the best athlete on the planet … at least, that’s according to former World Series champion Jerry Hairston Jr.

The longtime Big Leaguer sat down with TMZ Sports a day after the Dodgers’ designated hitter beat the Braves with a walk-off home run … and he proclaimed the superstar is now officially the top sportsman on the globe.

“No disrespect to [Lionel] Messi,” he said. “No disrespect to Patrick Mahomes, [Nikola] Jokic — who’s having an incredible season again with the Nuggets. But I think right now, the best athlete on the planet is Shohei Ohtani.”

There won’t be many in L.A. who will disagree … particularly after Ohtani’s monster Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium against Atlanta.

In addition to the blast that won the tilt, he also had two other hits … raising his season batting average to a whopping .333. At some point, too, he’s going to take the pitching mound for L.A. … something not lost on Hairston Jr.

“He does so many things well,” the ex-Dodger said.