Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers walked onto the field Thursday night and delivered a performance for the ages, becoming the first player ever to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season.
The 30-year-old Japanese superstar created the 50/50 club as the Dodgers crushed the Miami Marlins 20-4 with two home runs and a stolen base. Then he added another home run and another stolen base, walking off with a 51/51 record.
And he may not be done yet: The season is far from over.
“To be honest with you, I’m the one who’s probably the most surprised,” Ohtani told SportsNetLA.
Only five men had ever hit at least 40 home runs and stolen at least 40 bases in the 130-year history of Major League Baseball until this year. Ohtani joined their ranks then zoomed past them: Alfonso Soriano, then a Washington National, held the previous home run record of 46 but had only 41 steals, while last year Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves reached 41 home runs and an astonishing 73 steals.
On Thursday night, Ohtani broke through the 40s and hit 50/50, demonstrating the rarest combination of power and speed. He is also a dominant pitcher, recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery.
ESPN baseball expert Jeff Passan noted that Ohtani made 50/50 history while also delivering “one of the greatest games in MLB history.”
Ohtani ended the epic night as the “charter member of the 51/51 club,” Passan noted.
Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers earlier this year. And unlike so many players who have fizzled after giant deals and resulting pressure, Ohtani has smashed his way into the record books. “He’s not pitching this year so I think he is emptying the tank offensively,” manager Dave Roberts said, The Washington Post reported.
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