Shohei Ohtani: Marching towards an Unprecedented Place in MLB History

On September 17, 2024, Shohei Ohtani hinted at another milestone in his already remarkable career. Joining the Los Angeles Dodgers and signing the most lucrative contract in MLB history, Ohtani has proven his worth by making his mark in the legendary 40/40 club. The feat was accomplished on August 23 against the Tampa Bay Rays when Ohtani stole a base and hit a grand slam.

The Elite 40/40 Club

Ohtani is the sixth player in MLB history to join the exclusive 40/40 club and the first since Ronald Acuna Jr. of the Atlanta Braves in 2023. Acuna Jr. claimed his 40th home run in the last week of the regular season and secured 73 stolen bases. Ohtani, already holding the record for 48 home runs and 48 stolen bases in a single season, is now striving to break his own record.

Tracking Ohtani’s Pursuit for the 50/50 Record

As the MLB regular season draws to a close on September 29, all eyes are on Ohtani’s quest to become the first player with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. His 48th home run tied him with Adrián Beltré for the second-most in a season in franchise history, just two shy from breaking the Dodgers single-season record.

In his debut season with the Dodgers, Ohtani quickly made an impact, tying with Cody Bellinger for the third-most home runs in a season in Dodgers history. Ohtani’s home run sparked a record-breaking opening inning for the Dodgers, with the team hitting four home runs for the first time in franchise history.

Closer to Making History

Ohtani continues to inch closer to the record books. After scoring his 47th home run and stealing a base, he tied for the second most in a single season in MLB history, chasing Rickey Henderson’s record of 13 games in 1986.

Shohei Ohtani: A Player Like No Other

Ohtani’s prowess isn’t limited to home runs. His 46th home run was a spectacular 450-feet hit, marking his ninth homer of the season to reach that far and the 22nd of his career. His 100 RBIs this season are now tied with his 2021 record for his personal best in a single campaign.

Setting New Records

In the fourth inning against the Diamondbacks, Ohtani stole his 44th base of the season and three innings later, he stole Nos. 45 and 46. This marked the second time in his career he has stolen three bases in the same game. With 25 games left, Ohtani is on the verge of becoming the first player with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases.

Shohei Ohtani: A Phenomenon in Progress

Ohtani is setting the pace in August. He smashed a leadoff home run a day after his 43rd homer, marking his 12th homer in August, tied for third most in a month in his career. After stealing his 43rd base in the second inning, Ohtani launched homer No. 43 in the eighth to give the Dodgers a 10-5 lead.

The Journey to 50/50

On a night dedicated to him and his dog, Decoy, Ohtani rose to the occasion, smashing a long ball off Baltimore Orioles pitcher Corbin Burnes in the first inning. This marked Ohtani’s fourth leadoff home run this season and first at Dodger Stadium. With a walk-off grand slam against the Rays, Ohtani became the first Dodger in franchise history to join the 40/40 club – a testament to his extraordinary talent as he now sets his sights on an unprecedented 50/50 record.