For the first time in Major League Baseball history, a player has achieved the extraordinary milestone of hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases in the same season. This incredible feat was accomplished by none other than Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani in 2024, etching his name in the annals of baseball history.
Ohtani Shatters Records
Ohtani's remarkable achievement was highlighted on Thursday, when he launched his 49th, 50th, and 51st home runs of the season, while also stealing his 50th and 51st bases, leading the Dodgers to a dominant 20-4 victory over the Miami Marlins. Ohtani's performance was nothing short of historic, becoming the first player ever to hit three home runs and steal two bases in a single game.
This dual threat has been a recurring theme this season, as Ohtani has now recorded a home run and a stolen base in the same game 13 times, tying the single-season record set by Rickey Henderson in 1986. With nine games remaining in the regular season, Ohtani stands on the precipice of breaking yet another record.
A Season of Career Highs
Ohtani's 51 home runs this season are the highest ever by a Japanese-born player, surpassing the previous record held by himself with 46 home runs in 2021. In addition, his 51 stolen bases are rapidly approaching the record for most stolen bases in a single season by a Japanese-born player, held by Ichiro Suzuki with 56 bases in 2001.
This season has been a career-defining one for Ohtani. His previous career-high in stolen bases was 26, a mark he has nearly doubled this year. Impressively, he reached the 40-40 club faster than any player in history, achieving this landmark in just 129 team games.
A Singular Talent
Ohtani's contribution to the Dodgers goes beyond individual statistics. His relentless performance has propelled the team to clinch a postseason berth. Last season, despite elbow surgery that restricted him to hitting, he led the league with 44 home runs and pitched 132 innings with a commendable 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts.
Ohtani's remarkable consistency and versatility earned him his second unanimous MVP award last season, reinforcing his status as one of the game's most valuable players. His performance this year has only cemented that reputation.
Historical Comparisons
"Shohei Ohtani is not just making history; he is the history," an unnamed commentator remarked, capturing the essence of Ohtani's impact on the sport. Green, who previously held the record that Ohtani is on the verge of breaking, aptly stated, "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."
Ohtani has achieved several firsts and set numerous records for the Dodgers. He became the first player in Dodgers' history to drive in 10 runs in a single game, a feat accomplished by only a handful of players in MLB history. The single-game RBI record stands at 12, held by Jim Bottomley and Mark Whiten, and Ohtani's 17 total bases in a single game place him amongst an elite group of players who have achieved such a feat, and he did it without hitting four home runs.
The Road Ahead
With a few games remaining in the regular season, all eyes will be on Ohtani to see if he can further elevate his already historic season. Whether it's breaking Rickey Henderson's single-season home run and stolen base record or surpassing Ichiro Suzuki's mark for most stolen bases by a Japanese-born player, Shohei Ohtani continues to redefine what is possible on the baseball diamond.
As the Dodgers march into the postseason, fueled by Ohtani's record-breaking performance, fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching to see how much further this generational talent can push the boundaries of baseball excellence.