For the first time in Major League Baseball history, a player has accomplished what was once thought impossible: hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases in a single season. The record-breaking achievement by the Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani in 2024 has electrified the baseball world, cementing his status as a generational talent.
A Season for the Ages
Ohtani hit his 49th, 50th, and 51st home runs in a single game on Thursday, obliterating historical milestones with each swing of the bat. In that same game, he also swiped his 50th and 51st bases, contributing to an emphatic 20-4 victory over the Miami Marlins. It was an unforgettable performance that had spectators and commentators alike singing his praises.
"Shohei Ohtani is not just making history; he is the history," echoed a prominent voice in baseball commentary, summarizing the sentiments of many fans and analysts witnessing his feats.
Record-Setting Prowess
This wasn’t just any game for Ohtani; it marked the 13th instance this season where he hit a home run and stole a base in the same game, tying the single-season record set by Rickey Henderson back in 1986. With nine games remaining in the regular season, Ohtani has ample opportunity to surpass Henderson’s storied mark.
Moreover, Ohtani shattered previous records held by Japanese-born players. His 51 home runs this season set a new high, surpassing his own personal best of 46 home runs set in 2021. On the basepaths, Ohtani’s 51 steals so far bring him within striking distance of Ichiro Suzuki's record of 56 stolen bases in 2001.
Ohtani's speed and power combination is unprecedented. He reached the elite 40-40 club faster than any player in history, doing so in just 129 team games. This remarkable achievement has awed even the most seasoned analysts and baseball historians.
Overcoming Adversity
What makes Ohtani’s season even more remarkable is that he has been exclusively hitting due to undergoing elbow surgery last September. Despite this limitation, he led the league with 44 home runs last season and pitched 132 innings, posting a 3.14 ERA with 167 strikeouts. His peerless performance earned him his second unanimous MVP award last season.
The 2024 season has seen Ohtani push his limits even further, achieving career highs in both home runs and stolen bases. Before this standout year, he had never stolen more than 26 bases in a season.
A Game for the Ages
Thursday's game was historic in more ways than one. Ohtani became the first player ever to hit three home runs and steal two bases in a single game. Only 19 other instances exist of a player hitting two home runs and stealing two bases in a game, the last being Mookie Betts on August 23, 2020. Furthermore, Ohtani drove in an astonishing 10 runs, making him the first player in Dodgers history to do so. The last MLB player to achieve such a feat was Mark Reynolds on July 7, 2018.
Ohtani also recorded a staggering 17 total bases in a single game, a milestone only seven other players have reached. Notably, he is the first to accomplish this without hitting four home runs, further highlighting his well-rounded skill set.
Impact and Reflections
"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," remarked one veteran baseball figure, reflecting the immense respect Ohtani commands in the sport.
With the Dodgers clinching a postseason berth, the team and its fans have much to look forward to. Shohei Ohtani's extraordinary achievements this season have not only rewritten the record books but also set a new standard for excellence in Major League Baseball. His unique combination of power, speed, and skill continues to captivate and inspire, leaving an indelible mark on the history of the sport.