Shohei Ohtani Reaches Baseball Immortality

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani has done it, reaching 5o home runs and 50 stolen bases to become the first member of the 50/50 club. He did it in 153 games, in the middle of a pennant race, and he made it look easy.  The Japanese superstar is a one-of a-kind player having a one-of-a-kind season. A season that may never be replicated, except, perhaps, by Ohtani himself.

Shohei Ohtani Reaches Baseball Immortality with First-Ever 50/50 Season

A Foregone Conclusion?

Barring an injury, the question was not if Ohtani would do it but when. The perennial All-Star led off the game against the Miami Marlins with a double and promptly stole third base for his 50th of the year. It was the first step toward accomplishing what no one has ever done in the history of baseball. He soon topped it though by stealing another base after a single.

Nearly Hit for the Cycle

Later in the game, Ohtani came deliciously close to a triple, but was thrown out at third. However, his double and two runs batted in put the game on ice for the Dodgers. Still, that only served as a prelude to what was to come.

Power Surge

Now with the game essentially won, and thievery made into a milestone, could he move closer to baseball immortality by hitting a home run? The answer was a resounding yes. He hit not one, not two, but three. In three consecutive at-bats. All of them were no doubters. In a day full of history, Ohtani went 6-for-6, with three home runs, two stolen bases, and 10 runs batted in. No one has ever done that either. He also powered the Los Angeles Dodgers into the postseason today, ironically, a place where Ohtani has never been himself.

Shohei Ohtani has been called the Japanese Babe Ruth, a Baseball Unicorn, and it’s a pretty safe bet that he will be the 2024 National League Most Valuable Player. The only question left to be answered: is Shohei Ohtani the greatest to ever play the game? Only time and history can answer that, but Ohtani went over and above today to make his case.