For the first time in the storied history of Major League Baseball, a player has accomplished the extraordinary. Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers has achieved the rare feat of hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases in a single season, marking a significant milestone in the sport's annals.
A Historic Performance
Ohtani's remarkable season reached its zenith on Thursday when he smashed his 49th, 50th, and 51st home runs of the season. During the same game, he also stole his 50th and 51st bases, contributing vitally to the Dodgers' emphatic 20-4 victory over the Miami Marlins.
The game was emblematic of Ohtani's season-long dominance; he became the first player ever to hit three home runs and steal two bases in a single game. This extraordinary performance, the 13th instance this season of him hitting a home run and stealing a base in the same game, ties the single-season record set by Rickey Henderson in 1986. With nine games remaining in the regular season, Ohtani has a fair chance to surpass Henderson's longstanding mark.
Breaking Records and Making History
Amazingly, Ohtani is setting records in every facet of the game. His 51 home runs this season are the most ever by a Japanese-born player, surpassing the previous high of 46 home runs that he himself set in 2021. On the bases, Ohtani is also in hot pursuit of records. Ichiro Suzuki holds the record for most stolen bases in a single season by a Japanese-born player, with 56 steals in 2001, but Ohtani's current tally of 51 stolen bases suggests he might add another accolade to his name.
The magnitude of Ohtani's achievements isn’t lost on anyone. "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," said former record-holder Rickey Henderson in recognition of Ohtani's phenomenal talent.
Consistency Amid Adversity
Ohtani's journey this season is all the more impressive given that he has been exclusively hitting due to elbow surgery last September. Despite this, he has set career highs in both home runs and stolen bases. Prior to this season, he had never hit more than 46 home runs or stolen more than 26 bases in a single season, showing just how extraordinary his 2024 campaign has been.
Ohtani's proficiency has extended beyond hitting; he remarkably led the league with 44 home runs last season while also pitching 132 innings, posting a 3.14 ERA, and racking up 167 strikeouts. Such dual excellence earned him his second unanimous MVP award. This season, however, his focus has been solely on his role as a hitter, and he has risen to the occasion spectacularly.
A Season to Remember
In addition to his headline-grabbing stats, Ohtani broke several other records. He set the Dodgers' single-season franchise record for home runs and became the first player in Dodgers' history to drive in 10 runs in a single game. His unparalleled ability to affect the outcome of games was further underscored by his accumulation of 17 total bases in a single game, a rarity achieved by only seven other players, being the first to do so without hitting four home runs.
Reflecting on his historic achievements, it is clear that Shohei Ohtani isn’t just making history; "he is the history." This season has been a testament to his dedication, skill, and rare combination of power and speed. The Dodgers, having clinched a postseason berth, will undoubtedly look to Ohtani as a linchpin in their playoff aspirations.
The season isn't over yet, and with nine games remaining, Ohtani has more opportunities to solidify his place in baseball lore. The world watches as this once-in-a-generation talent continues to redefine the limits of what's possible on the diamond.