Shohei Ohtani Makes Baseball History with Unprecedented Dual Feat
In a season that will be remembered for its standout performances and record-breaking achievements, Shohei Ohtani has once again redefined the boundaries of what is possible on a baseball field. For the first time in Major League Baseball history, Ohtani, the dual-threat sensation of the Los Angeles Dodgers, has achieved the remarkable milestone of hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases in the same season.
Ohtani's historic accomplishment took center stage during Thursday's game against the Miami Marlins, where he hit his 49th, 50th, and 51st home runs of the season. In the same game, he also stole his 50th and 51st bases, leading the Dodgers to a resounding 20-4 victory. This extraordinary performance marked the 13th time this season that Ohtani has hit a home run and stolen a base in the same game, a feat that ties the single-season record set by Rickey Henderson in 1986.
With nine games remaining in the regular season, Ohtani has ample opportunity to surpass Henderson's mark and further cement his place in the annals of baseball history. His 51 home runs this season are already the most ever by a Japanese-born player, eclipsing Hideki Matsui's previous record of 31 set in 2004.
Ohtani's impact extends beyond just power hitting and base stealing; he has set numerous records and achieved career highs across various statistical categories. This season, Ohtani reached the 40-40 club faster than any player in history, achieving the milestone in just 129 team games. His previous career high in home runs was 46, set in 2021, and he had never stolen more than 26 bases in a season before 2024.
The magnitude of Ohtani's achievements has earned respect and admiration from around the league. Green, a former record holder, commented on Ohtani's accomplishments: "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."
This season has also seen Ohtani make significant strides in other areas of his game. Notably, he became the first player in Dodgers' history to drive in 10 runs in a single game, an achievement last accomplished by Mark Reynolds on July 7, 2018. Additionally, Ohtani accumulated 17 total bases in a single game, joining an exclusive club of only seven players to have done so. Remarkably, he achieved this feat without hitting four home runs, setting another unique record.
Ohtani's prowess on the field is particularly impressive given his recent injury history. He has been exclusively hitting this season due to elbow surgery he underwent last September. Despite this, he managed to lead the league with 44 home runs last season, while also pitching 132 innings with a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts. His exceptional performance earned him his second unanimous MVP award last season.
The Dodgers, buoyed by Ohtani's unprecedented achievements, have clinched a postseason berth and are poised to make a deep run in the playoffs. As Ohtani continues to defy expectations and shatter records, he is not merely making history; he is, as one commentator aptly put it, "the history."
Ohtani's journey through the 2024 season has been marked by consistent and relentless pursuit of excellence. He stole five bases in April, eight in May, and three in June, followed by 12 in July, 15 in August, and eight in September to date. His ability to maintain a high level of performance throughout the season, despite playing 38 fewer games in the second half, underscores his remarkable resilience and skill.
While the 2024 season will be remembered for many extraordinary moments, Shohei Ohtani's 50-50 achievement stands out as a singular highlight in the rich tapestry of baseball history. As the season draws to a close, fans and historians alike will look back on this year as a testament to the extraordinary talent and determination of one of the game's greatest players.