Barry Bonds gives Shohei Ohtani tips on how to maintain his success: “Why change something that’s going very well?”

Barry Bonds Gives Shohei Ohtani Tips on How to Maintain His Success: “Why Change Something That’s Going Very Well?”

Baseball is a sport that demands consistency and adaptability, but it also requires an understanding of what works and the wisdom to know when to stick with what’s working. Few players exemplify this better than Barry Bonds, a player who, over the course of his legendary career, demonstrated unparalleled success in the batter’s box while maintaining the discipline and focus that kept him at the top of his game. Bonds’ advice to modern stars, including Shohei Ohtani, is both grounded in his own experience and reflects a broader philosophy of maintaining what works and not unnecessarily altering a winning formula.

Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese two-way sensation who has taken Major League Baseball by storm, is widely regarded as one of the most unique and talented players the game has ever seen. Ohtani’s ability to both pitch and hit at an elite level is something that hasn’t been seen since Babe Ruth, and perhaps even more impressively, he has done so with exceptional performance on both sides of the ball. In an era dominated by specialists, Ohtani’s ability to seamlessly switch between pitching and hitting has set a new standard for what is possible in the game.

Despite his early success, Ohtani’s career has been marked by challenges—especially the mental and physical demands of excelling in two major areas of the game. Enter Barry Bonds, one of the greatest hitters of all time, whose career was defined by his ability to make adjustments, understand his body, and optimize his performance year after year. Bonds’ advice to Ohtani, offering guidance on how to maintain his remarkable success, echoes his own philosophy: “Why change something that’s going very well?”

The Art of Consistency

At the heart of Barry Bonds’ advice to Ohtani lies the importance of consistency. Bonds, whose career spanned more than two decades, knows better than most the value of consistency in professional sports. For much of his career, Bonds was regarded as the most feared hitter in baseball—he set numerous records, including the single-season home run record (73), and was known for his disciplined approach at the plate. Bonds’ longevity and sustained success can be attributed in large part to his ability to avoid drastic swings in performance and to focus on what was working.

Bonds’ advice to Ohtani speaks to this same concept. Ohtani’s remarkable ability to perform as both a hitter and pitcher has been a defining feature of his career, and maintaining that balance without overcomplicating things is crucial. By not overthinking or attempting to change aspects of his game that are already yielding success, Ohtani can preserve his focus and energy for what truly matters.

For Bonds, consistency wasn’t about sticking to a rigid, unchanging routine but understanding what worked for him and refining it over time. Bonds’ swing, for example, was the product of years of fine-tuning. It wasn’t always about making dramatic changes but adjusting slightly to stay ahead of the competition. In a similar way, Ohtani doesn’t need to reinvent his approach as he continues to build on his success. If something is working—whether it’s his hitting mechanics or his pitching strategies—there’s no need to radically alter it.

The Pitfalls of Over-Adjustment

Bonds also understands the potential dangers of trying to fix something that isn’t broken. Over-adjustment can lead to a lack of confidence, and for players like Ohtani, it can lead to unnecessary distractions. In baseball, much like in any other sport, overthinking can disrupt a player’s natural flow. When a player starts tinkering with their mechanics or their mental approach without cause, it can throw off their timing or rhythm.

For example, Barry Bonds himself went through various phases in his career where he had to adjust to changes in pitching styles or the league’s evolving approach to pitching. But he never strayed too far from what had brought him success. His eye for the strike zone and his disciplined approach at the plate remained constant throughout his career. Even as pitchers began to throw him more breaking balls and make him a target for walks, Bonds adapted by being more patient and selective. He didn’t radically change his approach; he simply enhanced what worked.

Ohtani, in his own career, may face moments where the temptation to over-adjust presents itself. The expectations placed on him as both a hitter and a pitcher can create pressure to change things in hopes of keeping opponents off balance or improving performance. However, Bonds’ advice would be to resist those urges and trust the process that has brought him success. Ohtani’s incredible talent isn’t the result of constant change but of knowing what he does well and sticking with it.

Trusting the Process

Another key element of Barry Bonds’ advice to Ohtani is the importance of trusting the process. Bonds’ career was built on an understanding of his own capabilities and a commitment to the daily grind that comes with professional baseball. While the game can sometimes be unpredictable, maintaining the discipline to trust in one’s preparation is critical to sustained success. This means keeping faith in one’s mechanics, staying committed to the training regimen, and understanding that results will come if the process is followed.

In Ohtani’s case, the process of developing both as a pitcher and a hitter is far from simple. Few players, if any, have been asked to do what Ohtani does—maintaining elite-level performance as a two-way player. However, part of Ohtani’s brilliance lies in his ability to embrace the grind and stay focused on his daily routine, whether it’s practicing his pitching mechanics or refining his swing in the batting cage.

Bonds, too, relied on a process—one that combined physical training with mental preparation. Throughout his career, he was known for his intense focus on his fitness regimen and his ability to stay in peak condition, even as he aged. While his power numbers continued to rise, Bonds’ commitment to his process was unwavering. For Ohtani, maintaining a balance between pitching and hitting means remaining disciplined and staying true to his process of preparation, despite the distractions or challenges that may arise.

The Role of Mental Toughness

Mental toughness is another aspect of Bonds’ philosophy that would be beneficial for Ohtani to adopt. Bonds, who endured the pressure of being constantly scrutinized and facing the challenges that come with being one of the most famous athletes in the world, understands that mental fortitude is essential. For a player like Ohtani, who is often under a magnifying glass due to the rarity of his skills, maintaining focus and managing external expectations is a critical component of success.

Bonds’ career wasn’t without controversy, particularly in the later years when he became a target for public criticism and scrutiny regarding his performance-enhancing drug use. Despite this, he continued to perform at an extraordinary level, demonstrating an inner strength and mental resilience that allowed him to weather the storm. In the same vein, Ohtani will face moments in his career where external pressures may mount. Whether it’s from the media, fans, or the weight of his two-way responsibilities, maintaining mental clarity and toughness will be essential to his long-term success.

In fact, Bonds’ ability to block out the noise and focus on what he could control is one of the defining features of his career. Ohtani, with his rare talent and unique role, will need to draw on that same mental resilience in order to stay focused on his goals.

Legacy and Longevity

One of the most important aspects of Barry Bonds’ career was his longevity. Bonds was able to remain an elite player for nearly 23 seasons, which is a remarkable feat in any sport, let alone one as grueling as baseball. A large part of Bonds’ longevity came from his ability to stay healthy, maintain his performance, and avoid major slumps over extended periods of time. In addition, he continuously made adjustments to his routine in order to stay at the top of his game.

Bonds’ approach to longevity is something that Ohtani could learn from. Given the dual demands of pitching and hitting, Ohtani will need to be especially careful about maintaining his physical and mental well-being. Bonds’ advice to “not change something that’s going very well” is applicable not only in the short term but also for the long-term preservation of a player’s career. Ohtani’s body will require careful maintenance to ensure he can continue both hitting and pitching at elite levels for years to come.

For Ohtani, it’s not just about performance today—it’s about how he can extend his career and continue to break new ground in the future. Learning from Bonds’ emphasis on discipline, recovery, and maintaining what works is key to creating a lasting legacy.