For the first time in Major League Baseball history, a player has reached the remarkable milestone of hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases in the same season. This ground-breaking achievement was accomplished by none other than Los Angeles Dodgers' two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani.
Ohtani’s electrifying performance this season has captivated fans and set new standards in the sport. On Thursday, he not only hit his 49th, 50th, and 51st home runs of the season but also stole his 50th and 51st bases during the game, contributing to a resounding 20-4 victory over the Miami Marlins.
Historical Feats and Record-Breaking Performances
This latest feat adds another chapter to Ohtani’s historic season. It marks the 13th time that he has hit a home run and stolen a base in the same game this season, tying the single-season record set by Rickey Henderson in 1986. With nine games remaining in the regular season, Ohtani has the opportunity to surpass Henderson's mark, adding further luster to his extraordinary campaign.
Already, Ohtani has set a new standard for Japanese-born players in MLB. His 51 home runs are the most ever recorded by a player from Japan, surpassing his own previous career high of 46 set in 2021. Ichiro Suzuki’s record of 56 stolen bases in a single season by a Japanese-born player, set in 2001, now appears within reach with Ohtani currently sitting at 51 steals.
Unprecedented Versatility
Ohtani’s accomplishments this season are even more remarkable considering he has been exclusively hitting due to elbow surgery last September. Last season, Ohtani led the league with 44 home runs, pitched 132 innings with a 3.14 ERA, and accumulated 167 strikeouts, earning his second unanimous MVP award. His versatility and excellence on both sides of the game have redefined what it means to be a baseball player.
This season, his combination of power and speed has allowed him to reach the 40-40 club faster than any player in history, achieving the feat in just 129 team games. Moreover, Ohtani has accumulated 17 total bases in a single game, a rare achievement only seven players before him have managed. Importantly, he is the first to do so without hitting four home runs.
A Season of Career Highs
Ohtani's 2024 season has been a period of continuous personal bests. Alongside his 51 home runs and 51 stolen bases, he also set the Dodgers' single-season franchise record for home runs. His previous career high in stolen bases was 26, making his current total even more astonishing. The distribution of his stolen bases throughout the season is particularly striking: five in April, eight in May, three in June, 12 in July, 15 in August, and eight so far in September.
Notably, Ohtani has more steals in the second half of the season (28) than the first half (23), despite playing 38 fewer games. This late surge underscores his determination and remarkable endurance as he continues to defy expectations and shatter records.
Legacy in the Making
Shohei Ohtani is not merely participating in baseball; he is reshaping its history. As one commentator aptly put it, "Shohei Ohtani is not just making history; he is the history." His unparalleled achievements this season place him in a league of his own and spark conversations about his status as one of the greatest to play the game.
Rickey Henderson, whose record Ohtani tied, was effusive in his praise, stating, "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." High praise from a legend further cements Ohtani’s standing in the sport.
Playoff Bound
The Dodgers have clinched a postseason berth, and Ohtani's phenomenal season promises to be a significant asset as they journey through the playoffs. His unique blend of power, speed, and clutch performance will be essential as the team aims for success in October.
In every aspect of the game, Shohei Ohtani has demonstrated excellence, breaking barriers and setting new benchmarks. With nine games left in the regular season, the baseball world watches eagerly to see what further magic Ohtani will produce before the year’s end. His 2024 season will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most extraordinary in baseball history.