Shohei Ohtani has etched his name in the record books once again, achieving a remarkable milestone in Major League Baseball. On Friday night, the superstar of the Los Angeles Dodgers hit a walk-off grand slam against the Tampa Bay Rays, marking his 40th home run of the season. This accomplishment makes him the fastest player to reach the 40-home run mark in MLB history, achieving the feat in just 126 games. Additionally, Ohtani is the first player in Dodgers history to join the elite 40/40 club, which consists of six members in total.
Entering the game with 39 home runs and 39 stolen bases, Ohtani stole a base in the fourth inning and later faced some struggles at the plate. However, with the game tied and the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, he stepped up and delivered a decisive blow, hitting the first pitch from Colin Poche just over the fence in right-center, clinching a 7-3 victory for the Dodgers.
With more than a month left in the season, Ohtani now has the potential to become the first player in MLB history to achieve 45 home runs and 45 stolen bases in a single season.
The previous six players to achieve a 40/40 season include:
– 1988: Jose Canseco, Oakland Athletics – .307/.391/.569/.959; 42 HR, 40 SB
– 1996: Barry Bonds, San Francisco Giants – .308/.461/.615/1.076; 42 HR, 40 SB
– 1998: Álex Rodríguez, Seattle Mariners – .310/.360/.560/.919; 42 HR, 46 SB
– 2006: Alfonso Soriano, Washington Nationals – .277/.351/.560/.911; 46 HR, 41 SB
– 2023: Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta Braves – .337/.416/.596/1.012; 41 HR, 73 SB
Now, Ohtani’s incredible performance this season places him among these elite players. His grand slam not only boosts his MVP candidacy but also moves him closer to the unprecedented goal of achieving a 50/50 season, showcasing his unparalleled talent and versatility on the field.