Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers made Major League Baseball (MLB) history on Thursday, becoming the first player to achieve at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season.
During the Dodgers’ commanding 20-4 victory over the Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, the 30-year-old phenomenon showcased his extraordinary talents. Ohtani hit three home runs and secured two stolen bases, pushing him over the historic threshold.
Entering the game with 48 homers and 49 stolen bases, Ohtani wasted no time reaching milestones. He nabbed his 50th steal in the first inning and added his 51st in the second. His power was on full display in the sixth inning when he launched his 49th home run, a 438-foot blast into the stadium’s second deck.
With runners on second and third and two outs in the sixth, Ohtani faced Mike Baumann’s 1-2 curveball and sent it soaring for his historic homer. He capped off his stellar performance with a third home run in the ninth inning, a 440-foot shot over infielder Vidal Brujan, contributing to the Dodgers’ six-run inning.
“Happy, relieved, and very respectful to the peers and everybody who came before me to play this sport of baseball,” Ohtani said after the game. “Being honest, it was something I wanted to get over as soon as possible. The balls were being exchanged every time I came up to bat.”
The Dodgers’ triumph marked their 92nd win of the season and secured their spot in the playoffs, extending their postseason appearance streak to 12 consecutive seasons.
“The individual performance tonight was remarkable,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts commented. “With this game of baseball, it was a win for Major League Baseball. I know people all over the globe were watching this game and were excited to see that they got a chance to witness history.”
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
