Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani became the first player to join the 50-50 club.
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani made Major League Baseball history recently by becoming the first player to enter the 50-50 club. In a September 19 game versus the Florida Marlins, the Japanese slugger belted three home runs to bring his season total to 51. Moreover, he stole two bases to solidify his position in the record books.
A Game to Remember
The All-Star clocked his 49th round-tripper of the year during the contest’s sixth inning, number 50 in the seventh, and his 51st in the ninth. Oh, he also batted a perfect six for six and became the first major leaguer to knock three home runs and steal two bases in a game.
It was something I wanted to get over as quickly as possible,” Ohtani said through a Japanese interpreter following the tilt. “And, you know, it’s something I’m going to cherish for a very long time.”
On two of his three long balls, the Dodgers standout put the ball in the second deck of LoanDepot Park’s right-center field, the Marlins home. The first shot came off a slider from Florida hurler George Soriano. The other right-center blast came off Marlins second baseman Vidal Brujan in the ninth inning. Florida reliever Mike Baumann served up his 50th shot.
Ohtani’s exploits helped the Dodgers rout their opponents 20-4 in a victory that helped the southern California baseball club secure a playoff berth for the 12th consecutive season.
“To be honest, I’m the one probably most surprised,” he said. “I have no idea where this came from but I’m glad that it was going well today.”
Steal numbers 50 and 51 came in the early innings of the tilt.
In nailing his 50 homers, Ohtani broke the franchise record of 49 previously held by Shawn Green, which had stood up since 2001. He also became the third player in league history to garner at least six hits, three round-trippers, and ten runs batted in a game. Cincinnati Red Walker Cooper and Washington National Anthony Rendon accomplished the feat in 1949 and 2017, respectively.
The revered competitor began his historic evening with a double off Marlins starter Edwin Cabrera and later stole third on a double steal executed with teammate Freddie Freeman. The two steals brought his streak of successful swipes to 28.
It took Ohtani 150 games to check the 50-50 milestone off his list of achievements. He had already attained status as the sixth fastest player to enter the 40-40 club in just 126 contests,
Previously, his season high for home runs was 46, which he tallied as a member of the Los Angeles Angels in 2021. Additionally, the versatile star started 23 games as a pitcher during a campaign that earned him the first of two American League Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards.
Viewed by many as the game’s best player, Ohtani attained new heights as an offensive force in a season where he opted to take a break from pitching.
He signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with his current club this past December. The noted two-way competitor has plied his craft exclusively as a designated hitter this year following a surgical procedure to repair damaged elbow ligaments.
Ohtani did not reach these heights by accident. With the help of his coaches, he meticulously studied the styles and tendencies of opposing pitchers on video.
His teammate, Dodgers catcher Will Smith, admires Ohtani’s work ethic and credits him for outworking and scouting anyone else.
Several other of his Dodger comrades have enjoyed watching him reach this remarkable milestone.
“I’m honestly kind of trying to learn from him just seeing how he goes about his day-to-day business,” said outfielder Tommy Edman. “He’s very consistent. The same demeanor throughout. “I think that’s why he’s such a good player.”
“Every night, I feel like he’s done something that we haven’t seen,” said third baseman and fellow All-Star Max Muncy.
Ohtani’s Future
What’s next on Ohtani’s docket?
The first order of business in the upcoming playoffs. This will be his first career trip to the postseason, as the Angels never qualified for the World Series tournament.
Furthermore, he is in the running for National League MVP. Should he be honored, Ohtani will be the first designated hitter to receive such recognition.
