Free-Agent Pitcher Adam Ottavino: 'I Would Strike Babe Ruth Out Every Time'

Free-agent reliever Adam Ottavino says he would strike Babe Ruth out every time if he played today.

Free-agent pitcher Adam Ottavino had a few thoughts on how Babe Ruth would fare if he were playing today: not very well.

Ottavino said that Ruth, considered one of the game's all-time greatest players, would likely struggle facing the power pitchers of today.

"I had an argument with a coach in Triple-A about Babe Ruth's effectiveness in today's game," Ottavino said on MLB's Statcast podcast. "I said, 'Babe Ruth, with that swing, swinging that bat, I got him hitting .140 with eight homers.'

He was like, 'are you nuts? Babe Ruth would hit .370 with 60 homers,' and I'm like, 'I would strike Babe Ruth out every time.'

I'm not trying to disrespect him, you know, rest in peace, you know, shout out to Babe Ruth. But, it was a different game, I mean the guy ate hot dogs and drank beer and did whatever he did. It was just a different game."

Ottavino, 33, has spent the last seven seasons with the Colorado Rockies. He struck out 112 batters in 77 2/3 innings and had a 2.43 ERA in 75 appearances last year.