For the first time in Major League Baseball history, a player has etched his name into the annals of the sport by hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases in the same season. Los Angeles Dodgers' phenom Shohei Ohtani accomplished this exceptional feat in the 2024 season, further solidifying his standing as one of the most extraordinary athletes to ever grace the baseball diamond.
On a historic Thursday night, Ohtani belted his 49th, 50th, and 51st home runs, leading his team to a resounding 20-4 victory over the Miami Marlins. As if the trio of home runs weren't enough, Ohtani also swiped his 50th and 51st bases during the same game. This incredible performance not only propelled the Dodgers to clinch a postseason berth but also marked the 13th time he hit a home run and stole a base in a single game this season, tying the single-season record set by Rickey Henderson back in 1986. With nine games remaining in the regular season, Ohtani has ample opportunity to surpass Henderson's revered mark.
A Season for the Ages
Ohtani's achievements aren't just confined to this historic milestone. His 51 home runs this season have already set the record for the most by a Japanese-born player, eclipsing his previous career high of 46 home runs set in 2021. Additionally, his 51 stolen bases have put him within striking distance of Ichiro Suzuki's record of 56 stolen bases, the most by a Japanese-born player in a single season, which was set in 2001.
What's remarkable is how Ohtani has continued to be an offensive juggernaut despite not pitching this season due to elbow surgery last September. Last season, he led the league with 44 home runs and pitched 132 innings, posting a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts. His dual-threat capabilities earned him his second unanimous MVP award. This season, focusing solely on hitting, he has shattered expectations and records alike.
Record-Shattering Moments
The Thursday night game was a microcosm of Ohtani’s exceptional season. He became the first player in Dodgers' history to drive in 10 runs in a single game. Prior to this, Mark Reynolds was the last player to achieve this milestone, doing so on July 7, 2018. The single-game record for RBIs stands at 12, shared by Jim Bottomley and Mark Whiten, but Ohtani's performance put him within touching distance of this hallowed mark as well.
Adding to this spectacle, Ohtani recorded 17 total bases in the game, a feat only seven other players have achieved. Notably, Ohtani managed this without hitting four home runs, showing his all-around offensive prowess. He also became the first player to hit three home runs and steal two bases in a single game, adding yet another extraordinary line to his already stellar resume.
A Historic Season in Numbers
Ohtani's base-stealing prowess has seen a notable increase, particularly in the second half of the season. He stole five bases in April, eight in May, and three in June. The numbers saw an impressive uptick as he swiped 12 bases in July, 15 in August, and eight so far in September. This brings his total to 28 steals in the second half compared to 23 in the first half, achieved despite playing 38 fewer games.
"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," remarked an admirer, succinctly encapsulating the reverence Ohtani commands across the sports world.
In a league filled with legends and luminaries, Shohei Ohtani has not just made history; he is history. His unparalleled combination of power, speed, and skill has brought a new level of excitement to baseball, leaving fans and fellow players alike in awe of his capabilities. As the Dodgers head into the postseason, the baseball world will be closely watching to see just how many more records Shohei Ohtani can rewrite.