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. The Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani accomplished this unprecedented feat in 2024, solidifying his place in the annals of baseball history.
Ohtani's remarkable performance on Thursday night saw him hitting his 49th, 50th, and 51st home runs of the season, while also stealing his 50th and 51st bases during the same game. This historic display of dual prowess contributed significantly to the Dodgers' emphatic 20-4 victory over the Miami Marlins. Not only did Ohtani's offensive explosion lead his team to victory, but it also set a new benchmark in MLB history.
A Historic Season
This season has been a testament to Ohtani's extraordinary talents. Achieving the 50-50 milestone places him in a league of his own. Rickey Henderson's single-season record of 13 games with both a home run and a stolen base has stood since 1986, but Ohtani tied this mark with his latest performance. With nine games remaining in the regular season, Ohtani has ample opportunity to surpass Henderson's esteemed record.
Beyond this, Ohtani has shattered other records as well. His 51 home runs are the most ever by a Japanese-born player in a single MLB season, breaking the previous record held by Hideki Matsui. Ohtani's 51 stolen bases are a testament to his speed and agility, although he still trails Ichiro Suzuki's record of 56 stolen bases by a Japanese-born player, set in 2001.
Ohtani Dominates on All Fronts
Ohtani's season has been a series of firsts and career highs. He reached the 40-40 club faster than any player in history, completing it in just 129 team games. This achievement is even more impressive given the fact that Ohtani has been exclusively hitting this season, following his elbow surgery last September. Despite not pitching a single inning this year, he has managed to lead the league with 51 home runs, breaking his previous career high of 46 set in 2021.
His base-stealing prowess is equally astonishing. Never before had Ohtani stolen more than 26 bases in a season, but he has surpassed this mark and then some in 2024. His performance in the latter half of the season has been particularly phenomenal, with 28 steals in the second half despite playing 38 fewer games compared to the first half. Ohtani's monthly breakdown of stolen bases – 5 in April, 8 in May, 3 in June, 12 in July, 15 in August, and 8 in September – demonstrates his increasing aggression on the base paths as the season progressed.
A Game for the Ages
Ohtani’s performance in the latest game against the Marlins was nothing short of legendary. He became the first player in Dodgers' history to drive in 10 runs in a single game, joining Mark Reynolds as one of the few players to have accomplished this remarkable feat in recent MLB history. His total of 17 bases in a single game is a milestone met by only seven other players, making it even more remarkable since he achieved it without hitting four home runs.
Shohei Ohtani’s achievements have also earned him widespread acclaim and admiration. One particularly notable accolade came from Green, who remarked, "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."
Looking Ahead
As the Dodgers have clinched a postseason berth, all eyes will be on Ohtani as he continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in baseball. His dynamic presence on the field has not only led to a series of record-breaking performances but has also provided the Dodgers with an invaluable advantage heading into the playoffs.
With his unparalleled ability to both hit and run, Shohei Ohtani is redefining the game and rewriting the record books, one historic performance at a time. It’s no exaggeration to say, as some have, "Shohei Ohtani is not just making history; he is the history."