Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Sports

Shohei Ohtani's historic pursuit: Chasing 50-50 club in home runs and stolen bases

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Shohei Ohtani could be on his way to another record-setting accomplishment.

In his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, after signing the largest contract in MLB history, Ohtani earned membership into the 40/40 club on Aug. 23 against the Tampa Bay Rays, when he stole a base in the bottom of the fourth and hit a walk-off grand slam.

Ohtani became the sixth MLB player to join the 40/40 club and the first since Ronald Acuna Jr. in 2023, when the Atlanta Braves star smashed his 40th home run in the final week of the regular season to go with 73 stolen bases.

Already the first player in MLB history to record 48 home runs and 48 stolen bases in a single season, Ohtani has now extended his career-high 48 home runs.

With the MLB regular season ending on Sept. 29, we’re tracking Ohtani’s quest to become the first player with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases.

Home run No. 48

Less than a week since his last home run, Ohtani struck No. 48 against the Miami Marlins. Ohtani’s 48th home run ties him with Adrián Beltré for the second-most in a season in franchise history. He is two shy from breaking the Dodgers single-season record.

Home run No. 47, Stolen base No. 48

In Ohtani’s first season with the the Dodgers, it hasn’t taken him long to join the franchise’s record books.

With his 47th home run of the season, Ohtani ties Cody Bellinger (2019) for the third-most home runs in a season in Dodgers history.

Ohtani’s home run was the first of four by the Dodgers in the opening inning, marking the first time in franchise history they achieved this feat. This is the 13th time in MLB history that a team has hit four home runs in the first inning, with the last occurrence being by the Cardinals against the Phillies in 2022.

In the following inning, Ohtani moved even closer to history by stealing a base. He has recorded a home run and a stolen base in 12 games this season, tied for the second most in a single season in MLB history, trailing only Rickey Henderson’s 13 games in 1986.

Stolen base No. 47

After a week without a stolen base, Ohtani got one on the board Monday night. He stole his 47th base in the bottom of the third inning.

Home run No. 46

Ohtani is inching toward the 50 home run mark and his 46th came in style. The home run reached 450-feet, marking Ohtani’s ninth homer this season that went that far and 22nd 450-feet one of his career. Ohtani’s 46th homer also ties the most of his career.

Home run No. 45

Ohtani reached the century mark for RBIs in 2024 in style.

His sixth-inning solo shot got the Dodgers on the scoreboard as they battle the Cleveland Guardians. Ohtani’s 100 RBIs this season are now tied with 2021 for his personal best in a single campaign.

Stolen bases Nos. 44, 45 and 46

Different month, same Shohei.

The Dodgers star stole his 44th base of the season in the fourth inning against the Diamondbacks. Three innings later he stole Nos. 45 and 46, marking the second time in his career he has stolen three bases in the same game. Ohtani has 25 games remaining to become the first player with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases.

Home run No. 44

Ohtani found his groove in August.

The Dodgers star smashed a leadoff home run Saturday, a day after his 43rd homer. It marked his 12th homer in August, tied for third most in a month in his career, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Home run No. 43 and stolen base No. 43

After stealing his 43rd base in the second inning, Ohtani launched homer No. 43 in the eighth to give the Dodgers a 10-5 lead.

A pitch in the dirt from Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen led to an easy stolen base for Ohtani, his 43rd being the second most in Major League Baseball behind Cincinnati Reds star Elly De La Cruz.

Home run No. 42 and stolen bases Nos. 41 and 42

On the bobblehead night dedicated to him and his dog, Decoy, Ohtani met the moment, smashing a long ball off Baltimore Orioles pitcher Corbin Burnes in the first inning. The 391-foot homer came on the fifth pitch of the game. It marked Ohtani’s fourth leadoff home run this season and first at Dodger Stadium, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

He also stole two bases, giving him 10 games this season with a home run and a stolen base. No other player this season has more than six.

Home run No. 41

On a 2-1 count, Ohtani crushed a 92 mph pitch from Taj Bradley to right field to bring Miguel Rojas home and give the Dodgers a 6-5 lead over Tampa Bay.

Home run No. 40

With the game on the line, there’s arguably no one better to have at bat than Ohtani. With the bases loaded and two strikes against the 30-year-old in the bottom of the ninth, Ohtani hit a walk-off grand slam to beat the Rays 7-3.


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