|
Shohei Ohtani has done it. Less than a month after joining the 40/40 club, the Los Angeles Dodgers star became the first player in major league history to have a 50/50 season after a three-home run outing against the Miami Marlins on Sept. 19. But he's not done. Ohtani's place in MLB history might be secure, but he is continuing to add to his mammoth campaign as the regular season comes to a close. Here's a look back at Ohtani's journey to becoming the first player with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases, and his continued quest to add even more to his final count.
Stolen base No. 59 Ohtani's quest for 60 stolen bases came up just short. But, he concluded the regular season by successfully stealing a base in 36 consecutive attempts.
Stolen base No. 58 With just one and a half games left in the 2024 regular season, Ohtani is making a bid for 60 stolen bases. This one might have been his easiest of the entire year. Home run No. 54 Though his stolen base numbers have risen above his home run count, Ohtani hasn't lost his power. Blast No. 54 on the year for Ohtani gave Los Angeles a seven-run lead and reached the upper deck of Dodger Stadium.
Stolen base No. 57 After tying Ichiro Suzuki's mark earlier in the week, it didn't take much time for Ohtani to again stand alone. Stolen base No. 57 came in the second inning of the Dodgers' game at Colorado, as Ohtani established a record for most stolen bases in a season by a Japanese-born player.
Stolen base No. 56 No. 56 in the stolen base department put Ohtani in elite company as he reached another milestone. Suzuki had previously held the record for most steals in a season by a Japanese-born player -- he now shares the record with Ohtani.
Home run No. 53 Who else could it be to tie things up in the bottom of the ninth for the Dodgers? Home run No. 53 for Ohtani came exactly when Los Angeles needed it, with his late blast drawing the game level with the team down to its final three outs. One batter later, Mookie Betts went back-to-back with Ohtani, securing a walk-off victory.
Stolen base No. 55 His second of the day, Ohtani's seventh inning swipe Sunday proved to be a critical one. He beat the tag to move into scoring position -- and one batter later Freddie Freeman knocked a single into right field to bring him home. The run brought the rallying Dodgers within one run of tying a crucial game in the National League pennant race.
Stolen base No. 54 Ohtani kept things rolling against the Rockies on Sunday, hustling over to second to give Los Angeles a pair of runners in scoring position with one out in the third inning.
Stolen base No. 53 Having already blown past the 50/50 milestone, the question is now simply what numbers Ohtani will end the season with. He swiped base No. 53 in the ninth inning of the Dodgers' Saturday defeat against the Colorado Rockies.
Stolen base No. 52 Before Friday night ended, Ohtani evened up his home run and stolen base totals once more. He'd make it home later in the seventh inning to help the Dodgers secure a 6-3 lead.
Home run No. 52 Ohtani already made history, but the Dodgers still have games left to play. And with Los Angeles still neck and neck with the Philadelphia Phillies for the top seed in the National League playoffs, and the San Diego Padres continuing to keep the pressure on in the NL West, Ohtani continues to answer the bell. No. 52 on the season was a no-doubt blast to straightaway center field, giving the Dodgers a one run lead against the Colorado Rockies.
Home run No. 51 All told, Ohtani's historic effort was one of the most impressive single-game offensive outings by a player in MLB history. His final statline for the night included six hits, three home runs, 10 RBIs and two stolen bases. He capped off a 20-4 victory the only way he could: launching a ninth-inning, three-run blast into the Miami night.
Home run No. 50 Ohtani's history-making moment seemed inevitable. After two steals, five RBIs and one home run already, Ohtani hit home run No. 50 against the Marlins in the seventh inning.
Stolen base No. 51 Before Ohtani could join the 50/50 club officially, he had another base to steal. Stolen base No. 51 was about as casual as it could be, with Ohtani trotting into second with two outs in the second inning.
Home run No. 49 It's just another day at the office for Ohtani. With three hits and two stolen bases (he swiped No. 51 in the second inning) under his belt, Ohtani hit home run No. 49 against the Marlins during the sixth inning. His 49 home runs ties Shawn Green for the most in a season in Dodgers history and extends his single-season career high.
Stolen base No. 50 One half of Ohtani's historic milestone is officially complete. He stole his 50th base in the first inning against the Marlins on Thursday afternoon. His 48 home runs are the most by any player with 50 stolen bases in a season in MLB history.
Stolen base No. 49 Ohtani continues to inch toward history. He's now one stolen base away from 50 on the season after stealing one in the first inning against the Marlins.
Home run No. 48 Less than a week since his last home run, Ohtani struck No. 48 against the Miami Marlins. Ohtani's 48th home run ties him with Adrián Beltré for the second most in a season in franchise history. He is two shy from breaking the single-season Dodgers record.
Home run No. 47, Stolen base No. 48 In Ohtani's first season with the Dodgers, it hasn't taken him long to join the franchise's record books. With his 47th home run of the season, Ohtani ties Cody Bellinger (2019) for the third-most home runs in a season in Dodgers history. Ohtani's home run was the first of four by the Dodgers in the opening inning, marking the first time in franchise history they achieved this feat. This is the 13th time in MLB history that a team has hit four home runs in the first inning, with the last occurrence being by the Cardinals against the Phillies in 2022. In the following inning, Ohtani moved even closer to history by stealing a base. He has recorded a home run and a stolen base in 12 games this season, tied for the second most in a single season in MLB history, trailing only Rickey Henderson's 13 games in 1986.
Stolen base No. 47After a week without a stolen base, Ohtani got one on the board Monday night. He stole his 47th base in the bottom of the third inning.
Home run No. 46 Ohtani is approaching the 50-home run mark, and his 46th came in style. The home run reached 450 feet, marking Ohtani's ninth homer this season to go that distance and the 22nd 450-foot home run of his career. Ohtani's 46th homer also ties the most of his career.
Home run No. 45 Ohtani reached the century mark for RBIs in 2024 in style. His sixth-inning solo shot got the Dodgers on the scoreboard as they battle the Cleveland Guardians. Ohtani's 100 RBIs this season are now tied with 2021 for his personal best in a single campaign.
Stolen bases Nos. 44, 45 and 46 Different month, same Shohei. The Dodgers star stole his 44th base of the season in the fourth inning against the Diamondbacks. Three innings later he stole Nos. 45 and 46, marking the second time in his career he has stolen three bases in the same game. Ohtani has 25 games remaining to become the first player with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases.
Home run No. 44 Ohtani found his groove in August. The Dodgers star smashed a leadoff home run Saturday, a day after his 43rd homer. It marked his 12th homer in August, tied for third most in a month in his career, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Home run No. 43 and stolen base No. 43 After stealing his 43rd base in the second inning, Ohtani launched homer No. 43 in the eighth to give the Dodgers a 10-5 lead. A pitch in the dirt from Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen led to an easy stolen base for Ohtani, his 43rd being the second most in Major League Baseball behind Cincinnati Reds star Elly De La Cruz.
Home run No. 42 and stolen bases Nos. 41 and 42 On the bobblehead night dedicated to him and his dog, Decoy, Ohtani met the moment, smashing a long ball off Baltimore Orioles pitcher Corbin Burnes in the first inning. The 391-foot homer came on the fifth pitch of the game. It marked Ohtani's fourth leadoff home run this season and first at Dodger Stadium, according to ESPN Stats & Information. He also stole two bases, giving him 10 games this season with a home run and a stolen base. No other player this season has more than six.
Home run No. 41 On a 2-1 count, Ohtani crushed a 92 mph pitch from Taj Bradley to right field to bring Miguel Rojas home and give the Dodgers a 6-5 lead over Tampa Bay.
Home run No. 40 With the game on the line, there's arguably no one better to have at bat than Ohtani. With the bases loaded and two strikes against the 30-year-old in the bottom of the ninth, Ohtani hit a walk-off grand slam to beat the Rays 7-3.
|
