In a dazzling display of athleticism and skill, Los Angeles Dodgers’ star Shohei Ohtani etched his name into Major League Baseball history. On Thursday night, Ohtani became the first player ever to achieve 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season, during the Dodgers’ commanding 20-4 win over the Miami Marlins.
A milestone achieved
Ohtani’s historic feat came with a seventh-inning homer, solidifying the Dodgers’ postseason berth—a first for Ohtani, who had never made the playoffs despite earning two American League MVP awards with the Los Angeles Angels. In the seventh inning, with runners on the corners and two outs, Ohtani launched a curveball from Mike Baumann over the left-centerfield wall, marking his 50th home run of the season.
Earlier, Ohtani had stolen two bases, bringing his season tally to 51. His 49th home run, a 438-foot blast, tied Shawn Green’s record for most homers by a Dodger in a single season. To cap off his monumental performance, Ohtani added a third homer in the ninth inning, ending the game with 51 homers and 51 steals. He went six for six, driving in 10 runs and scoring four.
Reflecting on his achievement, Ohtani said through a translator, “To be honest, I’m the one probably most surprised. I have no idea where this came from, but I’m glad I performed well today.” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts celebrated the milestone, stating, “This is a game that has been played for over 200 years, and this is something that has never been done.”
Ohtani emphasized the team’s victory, acknowledging the pressure of his 50-50 pursuit. “I’m glad that the team won,” he said. “It’s something that I’m going to cherish for a very long time.” Ohtani’s 50th steal came in the first inning, where his well-timed slide allowed him to evade a tag at third base.
Breaking records
With his 50th stolen base, Ohtani surpassed Dave Roberts for the second-most steals by a Japanese-born player in MLB history, a list led by Ichiro Suzuki. Earlier this season, Ohtani became MLB’s all-time leader in home runs among Japanese-born players.
Ohtani, who signed a record $700 million free agent deal with the Dodgers, is also ramping up his rehabilitation from elbow surgery. Having missed out on pitching this season, he is actively working on his return to the mound.
This historic achievement by Ohtani not only highlights his exceptional talent but also sets a new standard in the world of baseball.