An Unprecedented Feat in Baseball History
For the first time in Major League Baseball history, a player has achieved the astonishing milestone of hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases in the same season. Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani accomplished this remarkable feat in 2024, further cementing his status as a player for the ages.
On Thursday, Ohtani put on a historic display, smashing his 49th, 50th, and 51st home runs of the season while also swiping his 50th and 51st bases during a single game. This extraordinary performance contributed to a dominant 20-4 victory over the Miami Marlins. It was the 13th time this season that Ohtani hit a home run and stole a base in the same game, tying the single-season record set by Rickey Henderson in 1986—with nine games left to potentially surpass it.
Ohtani’s achievements this season are not just unprecedented; they are rewriting the history books. Ichiro Suzuki holds the record for the most stolen bases in a single season by a Japanese-born player with 56 in 2001, but Ohtani is hot on his heels with 51 so far. Additionally, Ohtani’s 51 home runs are the most ever by a Japanese-born player in a single season. He reached the elusive 40-40 club faster than any player in history, accomplishing it in just 129 team games.
Commenting on Ohtani's remarkable season, one commentator aptly said, "Shohei Ohtani is not just making history; he is the history."
A Season of Milestones
Sidelined from pitching due to elbow surgery last September, Ohtani focused solely on his hitting this season. His offensive numbers have been nothing short of spectacular. Last season, he led the league with 44 home runs, pitched 132 innings boasting a 3.14 ERA, and struck out 167 batters en route to earning his second unanimous MVP award. This year, however, he has shattered his personal career highs in both home runs (previously 46 in 2021) and stolen bases (previously 26).
Beyond the headlines of home runs and stolen bases, Ohtani’s single-game performances have been equally staggering. He became the first player to hit three home runs and steal two bases in a single game, a milestone that no player had achieved before. Only 19 other instances have been recorded where a player hit two homers and stole two bases in a game. The last to do it was Mookie Betts on August 23, 2020.
What’s more, Ohtani notched a Dodgers' franchise record for most home runs in a single season and set a new club record by driving in 10 runs in a single game, previously unmatched in Dodgers’ history. Mark Reynolds was the last player across MLB to drive in 10 runs, back on July 7, 2018. The all-time single-game record for RBI stands at 12, held by Jim Bottomley and Mark Whiten, but Ohtani’s achievement remains a significant milestone.
With 17 total bases during one of his games, Ohtani entered an elite group of just seven players to have reached that mark. Significantly, he is the first to achieve this without hitting four home runs in the game.
"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," remarked a former record holder, acknowledging Ohtani's unparalleled talent.
Ohtani's base-stealing has also displayed a surge in the latter part of the season. He stole five bases in April, eight in May, and three in June. These numbers rose significantly with 12 bases in July, 15 in August, and an additional eight in September—resulting in more steals in the second half (28) of the season compared to the first half (23), despite playing fewer games.
Looking Forward
As the season approaches its final stages, the Dodgers have already secured a postseason berth, driven by the historic efforts of Shohei Ohtani. With nine games remaining, fans and analysts alike are eagerly watching to see if Ohtani can continue to break records and heighten his already storied legacy. His extraordinary season says not only about his immense talents but also his dedication and determination to continually push the boundaries of what is possible in the sport of baseball.