Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani made history last night after becoming the first player in MLB history to achieve 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. Ohtani tallied three home runs and two stolen bases en route to a 20-4 trouncing of the Miami Marlins.
Prior to starting the 50-50 club, Ohtani enjoyed success early in his career. He originally played 5 seasons of professional baseball for the Fighters in Japan. Then, soon after making his MLB debut for the Los Angeles Angels in 2018, he won the American League Rookie of the Year Award. Ohtani has also played for the American League and National League All-Stars teams.
The 2024 season is Ohtani’s first with the Los Angeles Dodgers in his short time with the team he is already smashing records.
Freshman Angel Gallo says Ohtani’s move to the Dodgers helped him to achieve the historic record. “Just him coming over, especially for the next 10 years, he is bound to do even more than just a 50/50,” Gallo said.
According to The New York Times, in Thursday’s game, along with the 50/50, he also achieved the first six-hit, three-run-homer, 10 RBI, two-steal game in MLB history. Before his 50/50 achievement, Ohtani became the fastest player to enter the 40/40 club earlier this season.
“I thought it was impossible,” Christopher Lee, a sophomore, said. “Once he got the 40/40 I thought he would stop around 47. The way he broke 50/50 was insane, it was crazy. He got 10 RBIs in the single 6 for 6.”
Reactions to the baseball star’s extraordinary game could be seen all over social media. Jose Canseco, the first member of the 40/40 club, congratulated Ohtani on the social media platform X.
“In 1988 I created the 40/40 club. 35 years later Shohei Ohtani created the 50/50 club. Congratulations to him,” Canseco said.
Basketball legend and co-owner of the Dodgers Magic Johnson also took to X.
“On behalf of the Dodgers Ownership Group, I want to congratulate Shohei on being the 1st in MLB History to have a 50/50 season! Dodgers Fans, we got a chance to be a part of MLB history!” Johnson said.
Fans can see the Dodgers play again tonight at 7:30 p.m. in their matchup against the Colorado Rockies at the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA.