MIAMI — Shohei Ohtani became the first Major Leaguer to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season. The Los Angeles Dodgers star hit two home runs (plus a third) to reach the half-century mark and stole two home runs to reach 51 against the Miami Marlins on Thursday.
Ohtani hit his 50th home run in the seventh inning, an opposite field, two-run hit to left against Marlins reliever Mike Baumann. An inning earlier, he had hit his 49th, launch a 1-1 slider by George Soriano 438 feet to the second deck in right-center. He hit No. 51 of the season in his next at-bat, immediately after creating the 50-50 club.
Earlier in the game he had already stolen bases: in the first inning he scored his 50th and in the second inning his 51st.
The Japanese star started the match with a double against Edward Cabrera and swept the third at the forefront of a double steal with Freddie Freeman, who reached on a walk.
Ohtani has been successful in his last 28 stolen base attempts.
He reached the milestone in his 150th game. Ohtani was already the sixth player in Major League history and the fastest ever to reach 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season, needing only 126 games.
Ohtani’s previous career high in home runs was 46 for the Los Angeles Angels in 2021, when he also made 23 starts and won his first of two AL MVP awards.
Manager Dave Roberts said before Thursday’s game that he had noticed Ohtani becoming more aggressive on the bases in the second half of the season.
“I also think Shohei realized how good of a base stealer he’s become or can become,” Roberts said. “I think he enjoys the challenge of studying pitchers and learning their tendencies. I think that’s something that intrigues him.”
Ohtani’s previous career high for steals was 26, also in 2021. He has not pitched this season as he recovers from elbow surgery, allowing him to focus on hitting and baserunning as the Dodgers’ everyday designated hitter.
