Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers star, made history on Friday night as he became the sixth player in Major League Baseball (MLB) to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a single season. This remarkable achievement came during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays, where Ohtani hit his 40th home run and stole his 40th base in just 129 team games, setting a new record for the fastest player to reach the 40-40 milestone in MLB history.
Ohtani’s 40th stolen base came after he reached on an infield single in the fourth inning of the game. The 40th home run was nothing short of spectacular, as Ohtani hit a walk-off grand slam off left-handed pitcher Colin Poche, leading the Dodgers to a 7-3 victory over the Rays. This was Ohtani’s first career walk-off home run, adding another milestone to his already impressive resume.
This is not the first time Ohtani has hit 40 home runs in a season, as he achieved the feat for the third time in the last four years. He previously slugged 46 homers in 2021 and 44 in 2023, both of which earned him unanimous MVP honors. However, the 40 stolen bases this season mark a career high for Ohtani, surpassing his previous best of 26 steals in 2021.
Ohtani’s pursuit of the 40-40 milestone was evident throughout the season, with his stolen base totals increasing as the goal became more attainable. He stole only five bases in April, eight in May, and three in June, but significantly ramped up his base stealing in July and August, with 12 steals in each month. With enough time left in the season, Ohtani has a chance to become the first player ever to achieve a 50-50 season.
In reaching the 40-40 club, Ohtani joins a prestigious group of players who have accomplished this rare feat in MLB history. The other members of the club and when they reached the milestone are as follows:
– Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta Braves (2023): 41 HR, 73 SB, achieved in Game 154
– Alfonso Soriano, Washington Nationals (2006): 46 HR, 41 SB, achieved in Game 153
– Alex Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners (1998): 42 HR, 46 SB, achieved in Game 153
– Barry Bonds, San Francisco Giants (1996): 42 HR, 40 SB, achieved in Game 160
– Jose Canseco, Oakland Athletics (1988): 42 HR, 40 SB, achieved in Game 154
While achieving the 40-40 milestone does not guarantee Ohtani the MVP award, it certainly strengthens his case, especially considering his exceptional performance throughout the season. Despite being a full-time designated hitter (DH) this season, Ohtani has consistently been at the top of the National League Wins Above Replacement (WAR) leaderboard, showcasing his value to the Dodgers.
At 30 years old, Ohtani is currently in the first year of his record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract that he signed in the offseason. The contract, which includes significant deferrals, has a present-day value of around $460 million, making it the largest contract in MLB history. Ohtani is currently undergoing rehabilitation from elbow surgery and is expected to return to pitching in 2025.
Following Friday’s win, the Dodgers improved to a 77-52 record for the season, with a five-game winning streak and a four-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League (NL) West division. Ohtani’s historic performance has undoubtedly been a driving force behind the Dodgers’ success this season, solidifying his status as one of the most dynamic and impactful players in MLB history.
