The Historic Dual Milestone of Shohei Ohtani
For the first time in Major League Baseball history, the 50-50 milestone—hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases in the same season—has been achieved. Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani made this historic stride in 2024, showcasing a unique blend of power and speed unrivaled in the league’s storied past.
Ohtani reached the remarkable milestone during a game against the Miami Marlins, where his performance was nothing short of extraordinary. The star slugger belted his 49th, 50th, and 51st home runs in a single game, taking his season total to an unparalleled level. However, his achievement didn’t stop there. He also swiped his 50th and 51st bases, adding to the historic night where the Dodgers triumphed with a resounding 20-4 victory.
Such a feat of hitting home runs and stealing bases in the same game became routine for Ohtani this season. His incredible performance tied the single-season record set by the legendary Rickey Henderson in 1986, marking the 13th time Ohtani achieved this combination. With nine games remaining in the regular season, Ohtani stands poised to surpass Henderson’s record.
Ohtani's slugging abilities have also set a new standard. His 51 home runs this season are the highest ever recorded by a Japanese-born player, surpassing milestones set by his compatriot Ichiro Suzuki, who holds the record for the most stolen bases in a single season by a Japanese-born player with 56 in 2001. Ohtani, with his 51 stolen bases so far, has added another layer of intrigue to the end of the season as he chases this record.
Fastest to 40-40 and Beyond
Remarkably, Ohtani reached the 40-40 club faster than any player in history, accomplishing this in just 129 team games. This phenom has been exclusively in the hitter's role this season after undergoing elbow surgery last September—a fact that emphasizes the sheer brilliance of his accomplishments. Last season, Ohtani led the league with 44 home runs and pitched 132 innings, posting a 3.14 ERA and amassing 167 strikeouts. His all-around excellence earned him his second unanimous MVP award.
The 2024 season, however, has brought the spotlight solely onto his batting and base-stealing prowess. Ohtani’s three-home-run, two-steal game marked another historic first—no player before him had ever achieved such numbers in a single matchup. Notably, he became the first player in Dodgers’ history to drive in 10 runs in a single game, an extraordinary achievement last seen by Mark Reynolds in 2018. The single-game RBI record stands at 12, held by Jim Bottomley and Mark Whiten, but the 14 total bases earned by Ohtani in that game set another Dodgers’ franchise record.
Consistency and Clutch Performances
Consistency has been the hallmark of Ohtani’s game. His 17 total bases in one game—achieved without hitting four home runs—place him among an elite group of just seven players. Yet, this consistency is reflected not only in such standout performances but also through his season-long contributions. Ohtani has set career highs in both home runs and stolen bases this season, surpassing his previous bests of 46 home runs in 2021 and 26 stolen bases prior to 2024.
Indeed, Ohtani’s ability to pace his steals throughout the season is noteworthy. He began the year with a steady pace, stealing five bases in April, eight in May, and three in June. However, the latter half of the season saw an explosion in his stealing prowess: 12 bases in July, 15 in August, and eight in September to date. Impressively, he has more steals in the second half of the season (28) than in the first half (23), achieved despite playing 38 fewer games.
"Shohei Ohtani is not just making history; he is the history," commentators have noted, stressing the unprecedented nature of his achievements. Green, a notable figure in MLB, echoed this sentiment: "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."
As the Dodgers head into the postseason with Ohtani leading the way, the baseball world watches with bated breath. His extraordinary skill set continues to etch his name in the annals of baseball history, redefining what is possible on the diamond. In a sport that thrives on the unexpected, Ohtani’s 2024 season stands as a testament to the boundless potential of athletic mastery.