Shohei Ohtani grew to become the primary main league participant to exceed 50 residence runs and 50 stolen bases in a season throughout essentially the most spectacular sport of a history-making profession for the Los Angeles Dodgers star, going deep thrice and swiping two luggage on Thursday towards the Miami Marlins.
Ohtani hit is forty ninth homer within the sixth inning, his fiftieth within the seventh and his 51st within the ninth. He completed 6 for six with 10 RBIs whereas changing into the primary massive league participant to hit three homers and steal two bases in a sport.
The Japanese celebrity reached the second deck in right-center on two of his three homers at LoanDepot Park. Within the sixth inning, he launched a 1-1 slider from George Soriano 438 ft for his forty ninth.
Ohtani hit his fiftieth homer within the seventh inning, an opposite-field, two-run shot to left towards Marlins reliever Mike Baumann. Then, within the ninth, his 51st traveled 440 ft to right-center, a three-run shot towards Marlins second baseman Vidal Brujan, who got here in to pitch with the sport out of hand.
THERE IS ONLY ONE SHOHEI OHTANI. pic.twitter.com/rKgJtW8h2l
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 19, 2024“}}”>
Ohtani took care of the stolen bases earlier within the sport, swiping his fiftieth within the first and his 51st within the second.
The Japanese celebrity led off the sport with double towards Edward Cabrera and swiped third on the entrance finish of a double steal with Freddie Freeman, who reached on a stroll.
Ohtani has been profitable on his final 28 stolen base makes an attempt.
He reached the 50-50 milestone in his a hundred and fiftieth sport. Ohtani was already the sixth participant in main league historical past and the quickest ever to achieve 40 residence runs and 40 stolen bases in a season, needing simply 126 video games.
Ohtani’s earlier profession excessive in homers was 46 for the Los Angeles Angels in 2021, when he additionally made 23 begins on the mound and received his first of two American League MVP awards.
Already the consensus finest participant in baseball whose accomplishments as a pitcher and batter outpaced even Babe Ruth, Ohtani reached new heights as an offensive participant whereas taking the yr off from pitching.
Ohtani signed a $700m, 10-year take care of the Dodgers final December. The 2-way star, who beforehand spent six years with the Los Angeles Angels, has performed solely at designated hitter this season as he rehabilitates after surgical procedure a yr in the past for an injured elbow ligament.
Preparation was a key to Ohtani changing into the primary member of the 50-50 membership. He usually huddled with the workforce’s hitting coaches and studied video of opposing pitchers to know their tendencies with hitters and baserunners.
“I see all of the work he places in,” Dodgers catcher Will Smith mentioned lately. “It’s not like he goes on the market and it’s too simple for him. He works more durable than anyone. He scouts actually laborious. He’s enjoying a special sport so it’s enjoyable to see.”
Ohtani appeared to make the 50-50 mark his mission. He elevated the frequency of his base-stealing makes an attempt and in flip his success price went up.
However that will not be the case subsequent yr when he returns to the mound.
“He’s not pitching this yr so I believe he’s emptying the tank offensively,” Supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned. “I do assume the ability, the on-base (share), the common, I believe he can try this as a pitcher. He’s finished one thing fairly related like that along with his OPS. However so far as the stolen bases go, I’m undecided about that.”
Ohtani’s teammates have loved watching him crush residence runs and scamper across the bases.
“I’m truthfully form of attempting to be taught from him simply seeing the best way he goes about his day-to-day enterprise. He’s very constant, the identical demeanor all through,” outfielder Tommy Edman mentioned lately. “I believe that’s why he’s such participant.”
Third baseman Max Muncy added, “Each evening I really feel like he does one thing that we haven’t seen.”
What’s subsequent for Ohtani?
The Dodgers are headed to the postseason in October, which will probably be one other first for Ohtani. He by no means made it there with the Angels, who by no means had a profitable document throughout his tenure in Anaheim.
One other potential first may very well be incomes Nationwide League MVP honors as a delegated hitter. No participant who acquired most of his enjoying time as a DH – with out pitching – has ever received MVP, though Don Baylor, Edgar Martinez and David Ortiz positioned excessive within the vote.
It will be Ohtani’s third profession MVP award.
