Before Shohei Ohtani, there was Johnny O’Brien.

And although O’Brien wasn’t the flashiest at what he did, it was his trailblazing efforts that inspired many in the decades ahead.

O’Brien was drafted into the NBA in 1953. A two-sport star, he decided to sign with the Pittsburgh Pirates in MLB instead, and played 283 of his 339 career MLB games with the Pirates — as both a pitcher and an infielder.

O’Brien, who sadly died Friday at age 94, was a patriarch of a multigenerational MLB family that included his late twin brother (and former Pirates teammate) Eddie, and his grandson Riley, currently a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.

He spent five seasons with the Pirates and also played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Braves in his career. O’Brien played second base and pitched during his time playing Major League Baseball.

He finished with a .250 batting average across 339 MLB games. O’Brien hit 35 doubles, five triples, four home runs and had 59 RBIs over the course of his career.

As a pitcher, he finished with a 1-3 record and 5.61 ERA across 61 innings pitched. He totaled 30 strikeouts and opponents hit just .265 against him.

Johnny is survived by children Anne O’Brien, John O’Brien, Julie O’Brien, Frank O’Brien, Pat O’Brien and Joe O’Brien. He was preceded in death by wife Jeanne and daughter Mary O’Brien.

“Family always came first,” Julie O’Brien said. “He was there for many people in our immediate family and extended family.”

Said Anne O’Brien: “He played the role of surrogate father for many. A lot of people are going to miss him, because he really filled a void for a lot of people.