For the first time in Major League Baseball history, a player has achieved the remarkable milestone of 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. Making this historic achievement even more special is the fact that it was accomplished by Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani in 2024.
The Japanese sensation hit his 49th, 50th, and 51st home runs on a single Thursday, immortalizing himself in the annals of baseball history. However, he didn’t just stop at home runs. During the same game, Ohtani also stole his 50th and 51st bases, showcasing his exceptional skills on both offense and defense. This dual-threat performance contributed significantly to the Dodgers' resounding 20-4 victory over the Miami Marlins.
Remarkably, this game marked the 13th time this season that Ohtani has hit a home run and stolen a base in the same game, tying the single-season record set by Rickey Henderson in 1986. With nine games remaining in the regular season, Ohtani has a chance to surpass Henderson's mark and further cement his legacy.
Ichiro Suzuki, another iconic figure in Japanese baseball, holds the record for most stolen bases in a single season by a Japanese-born player, with 56 bases in 2001. Ohtani, who so far has 51 stolen bases this season, is poised to challenge this record as well. Additionally, Ohtani's 51 home runs this season are the most ever by a Japanese-born player, a testament to his incredible power at the plate.
Expanding on his historical season, Ohtani reached the fabled 40-40 club (40 home runs and 40 stolen bases) faster than any player in history, achieving this milestone in just 129 team games. What's even more impressive is that this season, Ohtani has been exclusively hitting due to elbow surgery he underwent in September of last year. Despite not pitching, his impact on the field remains unprecedented.
Last season, Ohtani led the league with 44 home runs and earned his second unanimous MVP award, solidifying his status as one of the game's greatest. As a pitcher, he posted a 3.14 ERA with 167 strikeouts over 132 innings, showcasing his versatility. The Dodgers have already clinched a postseason berth, and the team’s success this season can be largely attributed to Ohtani's consistent excellence.
In a game for the ages, Ohtani became the first player in Dodgers' history to drive in 10 runs in a single game. He is the first player to hit three home runs and steal two bases in a single game. This feat also includes accumulating 17 total bases, a rare achievement that only seven players have managed, and Ohtani is the first to do so without hitting four home runs. Mark Reynolds was the last player to drive in 10 runs, on July 7, 2018, and the single-game record for RBI stands at 12, held by Jim Bottomley and Mark Whiten.
Ohtani's performance this season has been nothing short of extraordinary. Going beyond the statistical milestones, he has redefined what it means to be a dual-threat player. He set personal career highs in both home runs and stolen bases, surpassing his previous bests of 46 home runs set in 2021 and 26 stolen bases prior to this year.
His staggering pace in stealing bases is particularly noteworthy. Ohtani stole five bases in April, eight in May, and three in June. His performance picked up in the second half of the season with 12 steals in July, 15 in August, and eight in September so far. He has more steals in the second half (28) than the first half (23), despite playing 38 fewer games.
As the season draws to a close, Shohei Ohtani continues to captivate fans and analysts alike. His awe-inspiring achievements push the boundaries of what is possible in Major League Baseball and his name is already etched among the legends of the game.
Reflecting on Ohtani's record-breaking season, a commentator aptly noted, "Shohei Ohtani is not just making history; he is the history." Furthermore, an additional voice in the sports community 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." This praise solidifies what many already know: Ohtani’s greatness is not just recognized; it’s celebrated.