This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani becomes the first player in Major League Baseball history to reach 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season
Shohei Ohtani had a day for the history books, grabbing his 50th stolen base of the season before crushing three home runs to become the first player in Major League Baseball history to post a 50-homer, 50-steal season.
The feat came just as his Los Angeles Dodgers clinched a playoff berth with a 20-4 beatdown of the host Miami Marlins on Thursday, September 19 (Friday, September 20, Manila time).
After steals in the first and second innings pushed Ohtani’s season total to 51, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way star crushed a slider from Marlins reliever George Soriano into the upper deck in Miami for his 49th home run of the year.
Dodgers fans did not have to wait long at all for Ohtani to turn that 49 into a 50.
In the seventh inning, facing Mike Baumann, the lefty-swinging Ohtani struck a 1-2 knuckle curve to the opposite field 391 feet for his second two-run shot of the day, becoming the founding member of baseball’s 50-50 club.
If that weren’t enough, Ohtani belted a 440-foot, three-run homer off infielder Vidal Brujan in the ninth inning as the Dodgers (91-62) ran away with a 20-4 victory that clinched their 12th straight playoff berth.
Ohtani’s singular day saw him go 6-for-6 with a franchise-record 10 RBIs, to go with four runs and two steals.
He also tied and broke Dodgers’ single-season record for home runs, set by Shawn Green with 49 in 2001.
Ohtani was expected to reach the 50-50 mark during an upcoming homestand against the Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres. Clearly, he did not want to wait that long.
“It was something I wanted to get over as quickly as possible. And, you know, it’s something that I’m going to cherish for a very long time,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton.
It has been an eventful year for the Japanese superstar.
Ohtani joined the Dodgers in December on a 10-year, $700-million contract after spending six seasons with the crosstown rival Angels.
He is not pitching this season as he rehabs reconstructive surgery on his elbow. He also endured a scandal in which his former friend and interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, stole millions of dollars from him to repay sports gambling debts.
To kick off his unforgettable Thursday, Ohtani hit a leadoff double against Edward Cabrera and went on to steal third base. He scored on Will Smith’s sacrifice fly three batters later. Ohtani added his 51st steal an inning later after plating Max Muncy with a two-out single.
Ohtani’s 51 steals this season are second to Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (64), while his 50 home runs trail only New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge (53).
The leading National League MVP candidate, Ohtani is batting .294 with 120 RBIs. Only Judge (136) has more RBIs. – Rappler.com
