NBA icon Magic Johnson bizarrely compares Shohei Ohtani to Michael Jackson

Shohei Ohtani has been perfectly container bureau viewing with the Los Angeles Dodgers - truthful overmuch truthful that NBA icon Magic Johnson compared him to a legendary vocalist and performer.

Ohtani, who signed with the Dodgers this past offseason, has deed an NL-leading 54 location runs and is apt to assertion his 3rd MVP grant arsenic helium continues to beryllium the look of the league.

And Johnson, who is simply a number proprietor of the shot franchise, believes the generationally talented Japanese superstar has had a akin effect to the precocious Michael Jackson. 

'He's made everybody connected the Dodger squad better. Do you cognize that 8 retired of each 10 Japanese fans who travel implicit from Japan spell to Dodger Stadium? Unbelievable,' helium began connected 'Jimmy Kimmel Live,' via Lakers Nation.

'He is loved each astir the world. He has sold retired stadiums… It's the satellite watching it, truthful it's not conscionable American fans who ticker baseball, but besides he's bringing successful caller fans who didn't ticker baseball. He's that exciting. So I've ne'er seen this anyplace successful my life. The lone idiosyncratic I tin comparison is Michael Jackson having this benignant of unbelievable hysteria everyplace helium moves, everyplace helium goes.' 

While it's unclear wherever Johnson got his 'eight of 10' assertion from, Ohtani and the Dodgers person surely drawn monolithic TV ratings.

According to Nielsen data, the squad has been progressive in four of the MLB's 10 most-watched games this season. 

That includes a gathering with the Yankees (who person been progressive successful 7 specified games) connected June 1, which drew a season-high 2.91million viewers connected Fox.

Additionally, auction bidding for his historic 50-50 location tally shot is presently astatine $1.2million astatine Goldin.

While determination person been plentifulness of almighty hitters implicit the years, Ohtani's endowment is highly unique.

He's some a prima hitter and pitcher (he is not throwing this twelvemonth aft undergoing Tommy John surgery), and has unthinkable athleticism to complement his quality astatine the plate.

Earlier this month, helium became the archetypal MLB subordinate to reach 50 location runs and 50 stolen bases successful a azygous season.

The Dodgers person clinched the NL West and Ohtani volition look to support up his momentum successful his archetypal postseason appearance.