For the first time in Major League Baseball history, a player has achieved the remarkable milestone of hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases in the same season. Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani has emphatically etched his name into the annals of baseball history with his extraordinary performance in 2024.
A Historic Night
On Thursday, Ohtani showcased his multifaceted talent by hammering his 49th, 50th, and 51st home runs of the season. But he didn't stop there. He also swiped his 50th and 51st bases during the game, cementing his reputation as one of the most dynamic players the sport has ever seen. In an awe-inspiring display, Ohtani went 6-for-6 with two doubles, three home runs, two stolen bases, and 10 RBI, leading the Dodgers to a resounding 20-4 victory over the Miami Marlins.
Tying Rickey Henderson
Thursday's performance marked the 13th time this season Ohtani has hit a home run and stolen a base in the same game, a feat that ties the single-season record previously set by the legendary Rickey Henderson in 1986. With nine games remaining in the regular season, Ohtani has the opportunity to surpass Henderson's mark.
Chasing Ichiro's Record
The record for most stolen bases in a single season by a Japanese-born player belongs to Ichiro Suzuki, who stole 56 bases in 2001 during his Rookie of the Year and MVP season. With 51 stolen bases already under his belt, Ohtani is within striking distance of topping another monumental record.
Breaking Barriers
Ohtani's 51 home runs this season are already the most ever by a Japanese-born player. His prowess at the plate has redefined expectations not just for Japanese players, but for all of Major League Baseball. Remarkably, Ohtani joined the elite 40-40 club with a walk-off grand slam on August 24, reaching this milestone faster than any player in history, in just 129 team games.
Exclusively Hitting
This season, Ohtani has been exclusively hitting as he continues to rehabilitate from elbow surgery he underwent last September. Despite this limitation, his offensive output has been nothing short of legendary. Last season, Ohtani not only led the league with 44 home runs but also amassed 132 innings as a pitcher, posting a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts to earn his second unanimous MVP award. Expectations are high for his return to pitching in 2025.
Clinching Postseason Berth
Thursday's win over the Marlins not only highlighted Ohtani's stellar night, but it also clinched a postseason berth for the Dodgers. This will be the first time Ohtani will experience the intensity of playoff baseball, adding another chapter to his already storied career.
Never Before Seen Feats
Ohtani continues to write history on his terms. He became the first player to hit three home runs and steal two bases in a single game. Prior to this, only 19 other instances of a player hitting two home runs and stealing two bases in a game had been recorded, with the last occurrence being Mookie Betts on August 23, 2020.
Ohtani also became the first player in Dodgers' history to drive in 10 runs in a single game, joining an exclusive club of just 16 players in MLB history who have accomplished this feat. The last player to achieve this was Mark Reynolds on July 7, 2018. The single-game record for RBI stands at 12, held by Jim Bottomley and Mark Whiten.
Adding to his historic night, Ohtani recorded 17 total bases, joining an elite group of just seven players who have done so in a game. He is also the first player to accumulate 17 total bases without hitting four home runs.
A Season for the Ages
Shohei Ohtani's achievements this season are unprecedented. He not only set the Dodgers' single-season franchise record for home runs but also achieved career highs in both home runs and stolen bases. His previous career high in home runs was 46, set in 2021, and he'd never stolen more than 26 bases in a season prior to 2024. Demonstrating his consistency and stamina, Ohtani 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. Remarkably, he has more steals in the second half (28) than the first half (23) despite playing 38 fewer games.
As the season winds down, the baseball world watches in awe as Ohtani continues to shatter records and redefine the boundaries of what one player can achieve. A sentiment echoed poignantly by Green, who remarked, "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."
Shohei Ohtani is not just making history; he is the history.