15:57 PT — Shohei Ohtani did it… he just launched his 50th home run of the season with a seventh-inning blast against the Marlins — becoming the first player to have a season with 50 HRs and 50 stolen bases.
3:31 PM PT — Shohei Ohtani just got one step closer to history … he just hit his 49th home run of the season in the sixth inning of the Dodgers’ matchup with the Marlins on Thursday afternoon.
Shohei Ohtani is on the brink of history… as the Los Angeles Dodgers star has stolen base number 50 (and 51) of the season — and the slugger now needs just two more home runs to become the first 50/50 player in Major League Baseball history!
Ohtani didn’t waste much time. The moment came in the top of the first inning of the Dodgers’ matinee game against the Miami Marlins. With Shohei on second base and his teammate Freddie Freeman In the first, the two executed a double steal. The catcher’s throw beat Ohtani to the plate… but the third baseman couldn’t make the tag in time.
Ohtani stole 50 bags! He only needs two home runs for me, the first 50/50 player ever photo.twitter.com/81ptl70vtQ
— Talking Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 19, 2024
@TalkinBaseball_
Shortly after the inning ended, the Marlins’ maintenance crew came and picked up the historic base and removed it from the field. Whether it will go to Ohtani’s personal collection or to Cooperstown remains unclear.
The Japanese standout had a pretty quiet reaction… but it’s hard to ignore the incredible season he had in his first year with the Dodgers. In 149 games this year, Ohtani has a .287 batting average, a .978 OPS and 110 RBIs, all of which are long balls.
And this is from a player who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, which kept him as the Dodgers’ starting DH this season after signing a $700 million contract.
Now, he’s just two dingers away from making history — and at the pace he’s going — he’s likely to set the record sooner rather than later.
The 30-year-old DH will have a chance to hit some historic baskets in front of the Los Angeles faithful (assuming he doesn’t make two today)…as the team returns home for a six-game home stretch against the Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres.
Originally published — 3:01 PM PT
