For the first time in Major League Baseball history, a player has achieved the extraordinary milestone of hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases in a single season. That player is none other than the Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, who reached this landmark feat in 2024.
Historic Milestone
Ohtani's astounding performance was capped off on Thursday when he hit his 49th, 50th, and 51st home runs of the season. But the fireworks didn't stop there; he also stole his 50th and 51st bases during the same game. His phenomenal display of skill significantly contributed to the Dodgers' resounding 20-4 victory over the Miami Marlins.
Tying the Legends
Ohtani's performance marked the 13th time this season he has both hit a home run and stolen a base in the same game, tying the single-season record set by Rickey Henderson in 1986. With nine games remaining in the regular season, Ohtani has a solid chance to surpass Henderson's vaunted mark. The last player to exhibit such dynamic power and speed can look to Rickey Henderson as the pinnacle, but Ohtani might just redefine those limits.
A noteworthy side note in the history of Japanese-born players in Major League Baseball, Ohtani currently holds the record for most home runs in a single season with 51, surpassing the legendary Ichiro Suzuki’s record of 56 stolen bases in a single season set in 2001. Ohtani has already accumulated 51 stolen bases this season, further cementing his dual-threat status.
A Season to Remember
Shohei Ohtani has delivered one of the most memorable seasons in baseball history. By reaching the 40-40 club faster than any player in history—doing so in just 129 team games—Ohtani has shown an unmatched combination of power and speed. This season, due to elbow surgery he underwent last September, Ohtani has been exclusively hitting. Even with restricted duties, he has led the league with 44 home runs in the previous season, and it's no surprise he earned his second unanimous MVP award last year.
Moreover, his statistics from last season when he could also pitch are incredible: Ohtani pitched 132 innings, posting a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts. These numbers are even more impressive, considering his offensive output.
Setting Dodgers' Records
Ohtani also became the first player in Dodgers' history to drive in 10 runs in a single game, a feat last accomplished by Mark Reynolds on July 7, 2018. The single-game record for RBIs is 12, held by Jim Bottomley and Mark Whiten. Additionally, Ohtani recorded 17 total bases in a single game, becoming the first to do so without hitting four home runs. Only seven players have ever accumulated 17 total bases in a game.
It's worth noting that Ohtani achieved career highs in both home runs and stolen bases this season. His previous career high in home runs was 46, set in 2021, and he had never stolen more than 26 bases in a season before this remarkable 2024 campaign. The variety and distribution of his stolen bases are also notable: five in April, eight in May, three in June, twelve in July, fifteen in August, and eight in September to date.
More Steals, Fewer Games
Remarkably, Ohtani has more steals in the second half of the season (28) than the first half (23) despite playing 38 fewer games. His consistency and adaptability have made him a constant threat on the field.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have clinched a postseason berth, and with Ohtani's form, their prospects look exceptionally bright. The baseball world watches in awe as Shohei Ohtani continues to redefine what is possible in the sport. As one commentator aptly put it, "Shohei Ohtani is not just making history; he is the history."
In the words of Rickey Henderson himself, "Huge congrats to Shohei. If you're going to have somebody tie and eventually break your record, who better than the greatest player who ever lived."