Before we completely move on from Independence Day, let’s reflect on a remarkable achievement in America’s pastime. Shohei Ohtani just became the first major leaguer in baseball history to be selected to the All-Star Game as a pitcher and as a hitter. He’ll also be the main draw when he competes in the home run hitting competition, as he currently leads the league with 31 homers. In addition to being a great baseball story, the Japanese born Ohtani is also a reminder of another American tradition: immigration. He really is having an unthinkable year in baseball and seems to be excellent at everything. If Ohtani develops a taste for hot dogs, Joey Chestnut is history.

+ “If you had to distill the amazement of Ohtani to one sentence, it would be this: he hits the ball harder than Juan Soto (92.5–92.3 mph exit velocity), throws harder than Yu Darvish (95.4–94.8 mph), and runs faster than Randy Arozarena (28.9 -28.7 sprint speed). He leads the major leagues in home runs and bunt hits. (He is 4-for-4 when bunting for a hit, an unmatched success rate.) Until this year, no player (and we’re looking at you, Babe) ever hit 30 homers and made 10 starts on the mound in the same year. Ohtani did it in just 81 games.” Tom Verducci in SI: Shohei Ohtani Isn’t Babe Ruth—He’s Better.