Ohtani Breaks New Ground with Historic 50-50 Season
In an unprecedented achievement, Los Angeles Dodgers' phenom Shohei Ohtani has become the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in the same season. This historic landmark was set in 2024, adding another remarkable chapter to Ohtani's already illustrious career.
Ohtani's latest feats were registered during a recent game, where he not only hit his 49th, 50th, and 51st home runs of the season but also stole his 50th and 51st bases. These extraordinary contributions led the Dodgers to a dominant 20-4 victory over the Miami Marlins. Ohtani's remarkable performance has not only elevated his status but has also energized the entire Dodgers clubhouse as they head into the postseason, having already clinched a playoff berth.
The dual-threat sensation now shares the single-season record for hitting a home run and stealing a base in the same game, achieving this 13 times, equaling Rickey Henderson's record set in 1986. With nine games remaining in the regular season, Ohtani has the chance to surpass Henderson's iconic mark.
Ohtani's 51 home runs this season are not only a personal best but also set a record for the most home runs by a Japanese-born player in MLB history. Previously, his career high in home runs was 46, which he set in 2021. His base-stealing prowess has been equally impressive. With 51 stolen bases so far, this season marks a new high, dwarfing his previous best of 26 stolen bases. Ichiro Suzuki still holds the record for most stolen bases in a single season by a Japanese-born player with 56, set in 2001. Ohtani can conceivably surpass that milestone in the coming games.
Ohtani's ability to reach the 40-40 club faster than anyone in history, doing so in just 129 team games, underscores his unparalleled versatility and athleticism. He has stolen bases at an even more frenetic pace since the All-Star break, pulling off 28 steals in the second half compared to 23 in the first, despite playing 38 fewer games.
This season, Ohtani has been exclusively focused on hitting, following elbow surgery last September. His decision to forgo pitching has not hampered his impact. Last season, Ohtani pitched 132 innings, posting a 3.14 ERA and racking up 167 strikeouts, all while leading the league with 44 home runs. His two-way dominance earned him his second unanimous MVP award.
The accolades for Ohtani continue to pour in. He became the first player in Dodgers' history to drive in 10 runs in a single game, a feat achieved in the recent blowout against the Marlins. Prior to Ohtani, the last player to drive in 10 runs in a game was Mark Reynolds on July 7, 2018. Ohtani's 17 total bases in that game is a rare achievement, accomplished by only seven players in MLB history. Uniquely, he achieved this milestone without hitting four home runs, a testament to his extraordinary ability to rack up bases through a variety of hits and dynamic base-running.
Moreover, Ohtani set the Dodgers' single-season franchise record for home runs, further cementing his place in the annals of baseball history. The sports world is taking notice of Ohtani's extraordinary contributions, with one commentator even stating, "Shohei Ohtani is not just making history; he is the history."
Green echoed these sentiments, stating, "Huge congrats to Shohei. If you're going to have somebody tie and eventually break your record, who better than the greatest player who ever lived."
The 2024 season will be remembered as the year Ohtani redefined what is possible on the baseball field. As the Dodgers head into the postseason, they do so with a player who has not just contributed to their success but has rewritten the record books along the way. With several games left in the regular season, additional records may soon fall to Ohtani's unmatched talent and drive.