Ohtani makes baseball history with 50 home runs, 50 steals in a season

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts after hitting his 50th home run of the season during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

LOS ANGELES – Dodger slugger Shohei Ohtani Thursday became the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season.

Ohtani crushed a pair of home runs during the first seven innings of Thursday’s game against the Miami Marlins, with his seventh-inning blast giving him 50 on the year. He later added another home run for good measure, giving him 51.

He also stole a pair of bases during the contest — his 50th and 51st of the season.

Ohtani, 30, previously became the fastest player in MLB history to reach the 40/40 mark, hitting that milestone on Aug. 23. He was the sixth player ever to reach the 40/40 mark.

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His twin home runs on Thursday also set a Dodger club record for most home runs in a season, passing the mark of 49 set by Shawn Green in 2001.

According to the team, no Dodger with 40 home runs had ever stolen more bases than Green’s 20 in 2001.

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“While Shohei Ohtani has been a groundbreaking player for many years, his latest feat as the first 50/50 player in the history of Major League Baseball reflects not just his amazing power-and-speed talent, but his character, his drive, and his commitment to all-around excellence,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.

“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I congratulate Shohei on this remarkable achievement. We are proud that he continues to take our game to new heights.” (With CNS report)

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