Shohei Ohtani’s historic 2023 season — one that saw him dominate as both a hitter and pitcher before a late-season injury limited his two-way role — has left the baseball world in awe. But for Boston Red Sox ace **Chris Sale**, Ohtani’s remarkable feats have become almost expected. Despite the two-way star’s continued excellence amid rehab from Tommy John surgery, Sale explained that he’s “not astounded by anything” Ohtani does anymore, underscoring his belief in the Japanese superstar’s exceptional, almost supernatural, talent.

Ohtani’s 2023 campaign was a spectacle. Before his injury, Ohtani posted a .304/.412/.654 slash line with 44 home runs and 95 RBIs as a hitter, all while maintaining a 3.14 ERA with 127 strikeouts in 132 innings on the mound. His ability to perform at an MVP-caliber level on both sides of the game has reshaped expectations for what a player can achieve. However, Sale, who has battled his own injury struggles and knows the demands of elite performance, said he’s become accustomed to Ohtani’s greatness, though still deeply impressed by it.

“I’m not astounded by anything Shohei does anymore,” Sale said. “I mean, this guy does everything at a level that none of us have ever seen, and at this point, you just expect him to keep doing it. He’s just built different, and I think we’ve all come to terms with that.”

For Sale, Ohtani’s sustained success despite undergoing a grueling rehab process highlights the uncharted territory Ohtani inhabits as a player. While many athletes struggle to return to their previous form following Tommy John surgery, Ohtani continues to prove that his skills — both at the plate and on the mound — aren’t just a flash in the pan. His continued dominance, even after a significant surgery, suggests that his unique blend of talent, discipline, and sheer willpower defy the typical recovery timeline for most players.

What Sale’s comments underscore is a deep respect for Ohtani’s otherworldly abilities. Ohtani’s unprecedented achievements no longer feel like anomalies. In fact, they’ve become a new standard for excellence. Rather than being surprised by the fact that Ohtani is doing things that no one thought were possible, Sale sees it as a natural evolution for a player whose talent seems to transcend the ordinary.

In an era when athletes are often measured against the mythical feats of the past, Ohtani has elevated those expectations to a level where even the most extraordinary accomplishments don’t quite register as surprises. For Sale, this is simply what Ohtani does — and the rest of the baseball world is just along for the ride.