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MIAMI — Shohei Ohtani announced his presence as the lone member of the 50-50 club with authority. Ohtani had a career-high five hits on Thursday – including two doubles and two home runs – with seven RBIs and two stolen bases. The two steals give Ohtani 51 for the season (the 13th season of 50 or more stolen bases in Dodgers history).
The two home runs give him 50 for the season, passing Shawn Green (49) for the Dodgers’ single-season record. Only the sixth player in baseball history to have 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in the same season, Ohtani is the first player to then go on to reach 50 in each category..
The combination is also the 13th time this season when Ohtani has homered and stolen a base in the same game. That ties Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson for the most in a season. More importantly to Ohtani, the Dodgers will clinch a playoff berth with a victory over the Miami Marlins, taking his name off another list.
He has currently played more games (865) without making a postseason appearance than any other active player. The historic homer came on a 1-and-2 pitch from Marlins reliever Mike Baumann in the seventh inning, an opposite-field shot to left. In the previous inning, Ohtani had launched a 1-and-1 slider from Marlins reliever George Soriano 438 feet to the second deck in right-center, tying Green’s franchise mark.
Ohtani led off the game with a double against Edward Cabrera and swiped third for his 50th stolen base on the front end of a double steal with Freddie Freeman, who reached on a walk. Ohtani stole another base in the second inning. He has been successful on his last 28 stolen base attempts.
Related Articles He stole his 49th base in Wednesday’s 8-4 win over the Marlins. He hit his 48th homer in the series opener Tuesday night, connecting on a 1-and-1 sweeper from Marlins right-hander Darren McCaughan and sending it 402 feet to right field. He’s the sixth player in major league history and the fastest ever to reach 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season, needing just 126 games.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before Thursday’s game that he noticed Ohtani getting more aggressive on the bases in the second half of the season. “I also think that Shohei realized how good of a base stealer he has become or can become,” Roberts said. “I think he likes the challenge of studying pitchers and learning the tendencies.
I think that’s something that intrigues him.” Ohtani shattered his previous career high in stolen bases, which was 26 with the Angels in 2021. He did that as a two-way player, but Ohtani has not pitched this season while recovering from elbow surgery, allowing him to focus his attention on batting and baserunning as the Dodgers’ everyday designated hitter.
More to come on this story. News services contributed to this story. SHOHEI OHTANI HAS DONE IT 50 HOME RUNS | 50 STOLEN BASES HISTORY pic.
twitter.com/GRVJUCbpja — MLB (@MLB) September 19, 2024 5-FOR-5 TWO HOME RUNS SEVEN RUNS BATTED IN TWO STOLEN BASES FIRST CAREER 5-HIT GAME WHAT A GAME FOR SHOHEI OHTANI TO INVENT THE 50-50 CLUB! pic.twitter.
com/hHapLaKZE8 — MLB (@MLB) September 19, 2024.
