Miami – Shohei Ohtani made history by becoming the first player in Major League Baseball to achieve over 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season during an extraordinary game against the Miami Marlins. Playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani hit three home runs and stole two bases on Thursday.
Ohtani accomplished the milestone with his 49th home run in the sixth inning, followed by his 50th in the seventh, and his 51st in the ninth. He had an impressive performance, going 6 for 6 with 10 RBIs, making him the first player in MLB history to hit three homers and steal two bases in the same game.
“It was something I wanted to get over as quickly as possible. And it’s something that I’m going to cherish for a very long time,” Ohtani stated through an interpreter during a televised interview.
The star player hit two of his three home runs into the second deck at LoanDepot Park. His 49th home run, a 438-foot blast, came from a 1-1 slider by George Soriano. The 50th, a two-run shot, went to left field against reliever Mike Baumann, while the 51st was a 440-foot three-run homer off second baseman Vidal Brujan, who pitched during a blowout game.
The Dodgers won decisively with a score of 20-4 and secured their 12th consecutive playoff berth. “To be honest, I’m probably the most surprised,” Ohtani remarked. “I don’t know where this came from, but I’m glad it went well today.”
Earlier in the game, Ohtani stole his 50th base in the first inning and notched his 51st in the second. He set a new franchise record for the Dodgers, surpassing Shawn Green’s previous mark of 49 homers set in 2001. Ohtani also joined a select group of players to achieve at least six hits, three homers, and 10 RBIs in a single game, a feat previously accomplished by Walker Cooper in 1949 and Anthony Rendon in 2017.
Ohtani’s success on the base paths continued, as he stole his last 28 attempts. He reached the 50-50 milestone in his 150th game. Notably, he became the fastest player to reach 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season, achieving that in just 126 games.
His previous career high in home runs was 46 with the Los Angeles Angels in 2021, a season during which he also made 23 pitching starts and won his first of two American League MVP awards. Ohtani’s remarkable performance this year comes while he takes a break from pitching.
Last December, Ohtani signed a monumental $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers after spending six years with the Angels. He has played exclusively as a designated hitter this season as he rehabs from elbow ligament surgery.
Preparation was key for Ohtani in achieving his historic season, as he regularly consulted with hitting coaches and studied opposing pitchers to enhance his game. His teammates have praised his work ethic and ability to consistently deliver.
As the Dodgers approach the postseason in October, Ohtani faces new challenges. This will be his first trip to the playoffs, a milestone he did not experience with the Angels, where the team never recorded a winning season during his tenure. Additionally, Ohtani could potentially become the first designated hitter to win the National League MVP award, a feat yet to occur in MLB history. This would mark Ohtani’s third MVP award overall.