Shohei Ohtani Achieves Historic Feat with MLB’s First 50-Homer, 50-Steal Season
This article has been updated to include recent information and statistics.
Shohei Ohtani doesn’t allow major setbacks in his career to slow his impressive performance. Instead, he adapts his incredible talents and keeps making headlines.
Due to a second elbow reconstruction surgery, Ohtani is set to be a bat-only player in the 2024 season, marking his first year with the Los Angeles Dodgers. As his pitching arm heals, he has broadened the possibilities of what he can achieve with his speed.
In a remarkable achievement, Ohtani has become the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season, demonstrating the unprecedented capabilities of a powerful 6-foot-4, 210-pound player who also pitches at an elite level.
Ohtani reached this remarkable milestone on Thursday during an outstanding game against the Miami Marlins, hitting three home runs and stealing two bases in a perfect 6-for-6 performance, contributing a remarkable 10 RBIs. He finished the day with a 51-51 tally.
With this achievement, he surpasses the members of the 40-40 club: Jose Canseco (1988), Barry Bonds (1996), Alex Rodriguez (1998), Alfonso Soriano (2006), and Ronald Acuña Jr. (2023).
This historic moment coincides with a significant achievement in Ohtani’s career, as the Dodgers secured a playoff spot with a 20-4 victory, ensuring Ohtani will participate in postseason baseball for the first time in his seven-year career.
Yet, it seems there is no limit to what he can achieve this season.
Undoubtedly, the recent changes to stolen base rules, which limit the number of pickoff attempts and introduce larger bases, have played a crucial role in this development. In the inaugural season of these new rules designed to revive action in a sport that has grown increasingly static, Acuña managed 41 home runs and an impressive 73 stolen bases, thus becoming the first player to record not just 40-70, but also 40-50 and 40-60. The prior record for stolen bases in a 40-homer season was held by Rodriguez, who achieved 46.
However, Ohtani, as always, has ventured into uncharted territory.
“I feel happy and relieved, and I hold great respect for the players who have come before me in baseball,” Ohtani shared with reporters in Miami. “Honestly, it’s something I wanted to accomplish as soon as possible.”
In his first season of a lucrative 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers, the 30-year-old two-time American League MVP is having perhaps the best offensive year of his career. He leads the National League in home runs, slugging percentage (.629), OPS (1.005), and adjusted OPS (173), just shy of his career-best of 184 achieved in his last season with the Angels.
This season, Ohtani has exceeded his previous career-high of 46 home runs set in 2021. Additionally, he has stolen 51 bases, significantly increasing from the 20 steals he had last year and nearly doubling his personal best of 26 from 2021.
The final push to 50-50 happened quickly, culminating in only the sixth 10-RBI game in Major League history.
Entering Thursday’s series finale at loanDepot Park with 48 home runs and 49 stolen bases, Ohtani swiftly took care of the latter. He began with a leadoff double against Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera, then stole third base with two outs before scoring to open the game. He then stole second base for his 51st steal after hitting an RBI single against Cabrera an inning later.
Now, it was time for the home runs.
His 49th home run came in the sixth inning against Miami reliever George Soriano. Ohtani launched an 0-1 slider 438 feet into the second deck in right field, extending the Dodgers’ lead to 9-3. It was evident he would have at least one more opportunity.
And history waited just one more inning.
When facing Marlins reliever Michael Baumann, Ohtani smashed a pitch into left field. He turned to the dugout to celebrate before the ball even landed over the wall, completing his historic trip around the bases.
However, the Marlins had other plans, ensuring Ohtani wasn’t done yet. As the Dodgers led 14-3 in the ninth inning, Miami deployed infielder Vidal Bruján to pitch. Ohtani, due to bat fifth in the lineup, had another chance thanks to base hits by Max Muncy and Chris Taylor.
The most anticipated outcome in baseball unfolded: Bruján delivered a 68-mph “fastball,” and Ohtani made contact, launching it 440 feet once again into the second deck in right field, marking his 51st home run, leaving little room for any remaining milestones for Dodgers fans as the team prepares to return to L.A.
This record-setting day marked a dramatic highlight in a season that has showcased Ohtani’s incredible athleticism. While comparisons to Babe Ruth were natural due to Ohtani’s dual threat as both a competent slugger and pitcher, this groundbreaking season has reinforced his position as a truly unique athlete and one of the best in the world.
As Ohtani wraps up this remarkable season, he is diligently continuing his recovery from elbow surgery. He is on track to pitch in 2025, and the sporting world eagerly anticipates whether he can replicate his astonishing 11.4 strikeout rate per nine innings along with his career ERA of 3.01 following his second surgery.
Could 50-50-200 (strikeouts) be a possibility? It seems nearly impossible. Yet, this is a player who consistently defies expectations.