For the first time in Major League Baseball history, a player has achieved the milestone of hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases in the same season. The extraordinary feat was accomplished by none other than Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani in 2024. This remarkable achievement underscores Ohtani's unique prowess and cements his status as one of baseball's all-time greats.
A Historic Performance
Ohtani's historic night came during a Thursday game where he not only hit his 49th, 50th, and 51st home runs of the season but also stole his 50th and 51st bases, leading the Dodgers to a resounding 20-4 victory over the Miami Marlins. This commanding performance contributed significantly to the Dodgers clinching a postseason berth.
The significance of Ohtani's achievement cannot be overstated. It marks the first instance in baseball history where a player has reached the dual milestones of 50 home runs and 50 steals in a single season. This milestone places Ohtani in a league of his own, doing what no player before him has ever managed to accomplish.
Tying and Eyeing Records
In addition to this unprecedented achievement, Ohtani's season has been filled with other record-tying and record-breaking performances. His multi-faceted skill set has allowed him to tie Rickey Henderson's single-season record of hitting a home run and stealing a base in the same game 13 times in one season, a record set in 1986. With nine games remaining in the regular season, Ohtani has the opportunity to surpass this legendary mark.
The prowess of Ohtani's remarkable season is further highlighted by his surpassing of Ichiro Suzuki's record for most home runs by a Japanese-born player in a single season, with Ohtani achieving 51 home runs. Ohtani's impeccable form at the plate has also earned him the record for the fastest ascent into the exclusive 40-40 club, doing so in just 129 team games.
A Season for the Ages
Ohtani's contributions have not been limited to power hitting. His base-stealing proficiency has seen him accumulate career highs in stolen bases this season, previously unmatched by any Japanese-born player other than Ichiro's 56 stolen bases in 2001. His current tally stands impressively at 51 stolen bases, with more games to play and more records to potentially break.
Elevating his already stellar 2024 campaign, Ohtani has rewritten the Dodgers' single-season franchise record books, not only through his home run feats but also as the first player in Dodgers' history to drive in 10 runs in a single game. The last player in MLB to achieve this was Mark Reynolds in 2018. Further displaying his all-around skill, Ohtani recorded 17 total bases in a single game, a feat only seven other players have achieved without hitting four home runs.
Adversity and Triumph
This sensational season comes after Ohtani underwent elbow surgery last September, limiting him to solely hitting this season. It is worth noting Ohtani's dominance on the mound last year, posting a 3.14 ERA with 167 strikeouts over 132 innings before surgery sidelined his pitching capabilities. Despite not pitching this year, Ohtani's offensive contributions have been immeasurable, once again earning him the unanimous MVP award last season for his dual role talents.
Mookie Betts was the last player before Ohtani to hit two home runs and steal two bases in a single game, recorded on August 23, 2020. Ohtani pushed these boundaries further by becoming the first player to hit three home runs and steal two bases in a single game.
A Legacy in the Making
With still some time left in the season, Ohtani continues to exemplify his extraordinary talent, racking up statistics and records that place him in a league apart. "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," said one observer.
Indeed, the enthusiasm and admiration for Ohtani resonate across the baseball community. As one commentator aptly put it, "Shohei Ohtani is not just making history; he is the history." As the season progresses, all eyes remain fixed on this extraordinary athlete whose feats on the diamond continue to defy not just the odds but the very boundaries of what was once thought possible in the world of baseball.