Shohei Ohtani Becomes MLB’s First 50-50 Player Ever With Monster Game in Miami
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani became the first member of baseball’s 50-homer, 50-steal club Thursday against the Miami Marlins.
The home runs — in the sixth and seventh innings against George Soriano and Mike Baumann, respectively — set a franchise record in the process. Shawn Green hit 49 home runs in 2001, a franchise record that had stood until Thursday.
Ohtani reached the 50-steal milestone in the first inning. He stole his second base of the game, and his 51st of the season, in the second inning.
Green previously spoke with Dodgers Nation about his record potentially falling.
“I think Ohtani is the greatest baseball player who ever lived. If he retired today he’d be the greatest baseball player,” Green said in a telephone interview. “And so for me, it’s been definitely an honor to hold the most home runs in a season by a Dodger. If it’s going to get broken, why not be broken by the greatest player who ever lived?”
Ohtani had been verging toward the record all week.
“No pressure,” Ohtani said through an interpreter after Tuesday’s game. “Just trying to maintain quality at-bats regardless of the situation. It’s something I’ve been trying to do over the course of the entire season.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has noticed that the 50-50 milestone is “front of mind” for Ohtani, though it doesn’t seem to be adding pressure. Roberts pointed out that Ohtani has been pulling more pitches lately, leading to more predetermined swings instead of waiting for pitches deeper in the zone.
“And I do feel that’s somewhat natural,” Roberts said. “I just think he wants to get it over with — but with the fact that he’s still trying to compete and help us win baseball games.”
Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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