MIAMI –
Shohei Ohtani turned the primary main league participant to exceed 50 residence runs and 50 stolen bases in a season throughout probably the most spectacular recreation of a history-making profession for the Los Angeles Dodgers star, going deep thrice and swiping two baggage on Thursday towards the Miami Marlins.
“It was one thing I wished to recover from as rapidly as doable. And, you realize, it is one thing that I will cherish for a really very long time,” Ohtani mentioned via an interpreter in a televised interview.
The Japanese celebrity reached the second deck in right-center on two of his three homers at LoanDepot Park. Within the sixth inning, he launched a 1-1 slider from George Soriano 438 toes for his forty ninth.
Ohtani hit his fiftieth homer within the seventh inning, an opposite-field, two-run shot to left towards Marlins reliever Mike Baumann. Then, within the ninth, his 51st traveled 440 toes to right-center, a three-run shot towards Marlins second baseman Vidal Brujan, who got here in to pitch with the sport out of hand. The Dodgers gained 20-4 and clinched their twelfth straight playoff berth.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani (17) gestures after hitting a house run in the course of the sixth inning of a baseball recreation towards the Miami Marlins, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Picture/Marta Lavandier)
“To be sincere, I am the one most likely most shocked,” Ohtani mentioned. “I don’t know the place this got here from, however I am glad that it was going properly right now.”
Ohtani took care of the stolen bases earlier within the recreation, swiping his fiftieth within the first and his 51st within the second.
He broke the Dodgers’ franchise report of 49 homers set by Shawn Inexperienced in 2001. And he turned the third participant in main league historical past with not less than six hits, three homers and 10 RBIs in a recreation, becoming a member of Cincinnati’s Walker Cooper in 1949 and Washington’s Anthony Rendon in 2017.
The Japanese celebrity led off the sport with double towards Edward Cabrera and swiped third on the entrance finish of a double steal with Freddie Freeman, who reached on a stroll.
Ohtani has been profitable on his final 28 stolen base makes an attempt.
He reached the 50-50 milestone in his one hundred and fiftieth recreation. Ohtani was already the sixth participant in main league historical past and the quickest ever to achieve 40 residence runs and 40 stolen bases in a season, needing simply 126 video games.
Ohtani’s earlier profession excessive in homers was 46 for the Los Angeles Angels in 2021, when he additionally made 23 begins on the mound and gained his first of two American League MVP awards.
Already the consensus greatest participant in baseball whose accomplishments as a pitcher and batter outpaced even Babe Ruth, Ohtani reached new heights as an offensive participant whereas taking the yr off from pitching.
Ohtani signed a $700 million, 10-year cope with the Dodgers final December. The 2-way star, who beforehand spent six years with the Los Angeles Angels, has performed solely at designated hitter this season as he rehabilitates after surgical procedure a yr in the past for an injured elbow ligament.
Preparation was a key to Ohtani turning into the primary member of the 50-50 membership. He often huddled with the group’s hitting coaches and studied video of opposing pitchers to grasp their tendencies with hitters and baserunners.
“I see all of the work he places in,” Dodgers catcher Will Smith mentioned lately. “It is not like he goes on the market and it is too straightforward for him. He works tougher than anyone. He scouts actually laborious. He is enjoying a special recreation so it is enjoyable to see.”
Ohtani appeared to make the 50-50 mark his mission. He elevated the frequency of his base-stealing makes an attempt and in flip his success charge went up.
However that might not be the case subsequent yr when he returns to the mound.
“He is not pitching this yr so I believe he’s emptying the tank offensively,” Supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned. “I do suppose the facility, the on-base (proportion), the common, I believe he can do this as a pitcher. He is executed one thing fairly related like that together with his OPS. However so far as the stolen bases go, I am undecided about that.”
Ohtani’s teammates have loved watching him crush residence runs and scamper across the bases.
“I am actually sort of attempting to be taught from him simply seeing the best way he goes about his day-to-day enterprise. He is very constant, the identical demeanor all through,” outfielder Tommy Edman mentioned lately. “I believe that is why he is such an excellent participant.”
Third baseman Max Muncy added, “Each evening I really feel like he does one thing that we’ve not seen.”
What’s subsequent for Ohtani?
The Dodgers are headed to the postseason in October, which can be one other first for Ohtani. He by no means made it there with the Angels, who by no means had a successful report throughout his tenure in Anaheim.
One other potential first could possibly be incomes Nationwide League MVP honors as a delegated hitter. No participant who bought most of his enjoying time as a DH — with out pitching — has ever gained MVP, though Don Baylor, Edgar Martinez and David Ortiz positioned excessive within the vote.
It might be Ohtani’s third profession MVP award.
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AP Sports activities Author Beth Harris in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
