Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani has etched his name in Major League Baseball (MLB) history by becoming the first player ever to achieve 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. In a remarkable performance during the Dodgers’ 20-4 triumph over the Miami Marlins on Thursday, Ohtani hit three home runs, bringing his season total to 50, while also securing his 51st stolen base.
The win propelled the Dodgers into the playoffs, marking a significant milestone for Ohtani. “To be honest, I’m probably the most surprised,” he said through a translator, reflecting on his outstanding performance. “I have no idea where this came from, but I’m glad I performed well today.”
This year has been particularly eventful for Ohtani, who signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers in December after six seasons with the rival Angels. Although he is not pitching this season due to recovery from reconstructive elbow surgery, he has faced additional challenges, including a scandal involving his former friend and interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, who stole millions from him to settle sports gambling debts.
In the clubhouse after the victory, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts emphasized the significance of the moment. “This is a game that has been played for over 200 years,” Roberts stated. “And this is something that has never been done.”
Ohtani, 30, aimed to redirect the attention toward his teammates. “I’m glad that the team won,” he said, acknowledging the pressure surrounding his 50-50 milestone and expressing a desire to move past it quickly. “It’s something that I’m going to cherish for a very long time.”
Earlier this season, Shohei Ohtani became the MLB’s all-time leader in home runs by a Japanese-born player, surpassing Hideki Matsui’s record of 175 with a remarkable total of 222. His achievement captured headlines across Japan, dominating Friday morning news shows and social media. Newspapers in Tokyo and his hometown in Iwate quickly released special editions celebrating his success. Ohtani, a former high school baseball prodigy who joined the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in 2013, received heartfelt congratulations from top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi, who expressed pride in Ohtani’s accomplishments.
“We sincerely hope that Mr. Ohtani, who has already achieved remarkable feats and ushered in a new era, will continue to excel and reach even greater heights in his career.”
