Will Shohei Ohtani Become the First MLB Player to Hit 50 Home Runs and Steal 50 Bases?

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers is on the brink of making Major League Baseball history. The two-way star is targeting an unprecedented milestone: becoming the first MLB player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season. On Monday, Ohtani played as the designated hitter against the Arizona Diamondbacks, going 2-for-4 at the plate with two walks and scoring twice. He also showcased his speed, stealing three bases to bring his season total to 46.

Ohtani is batting .292 for the season, with a combined on-base plus slugging (OPS) of .993. He has already hit 44 home runs and stolen 46 bases so far. If he adds 6 more home runs and 4 stolen bases in the remaining 24 games, he will become the first 50/50 player.

During the game, Ohtani hit a single in the first inning but didn’t score due to a double play by the next batter. In the third inning, with no outs and a runner on second, he advanced the runner with a ground ball. In the fourth inning, after drawing a walk with two outs and a runner on third, he successfully stole second base, bringing his total to 44 stolen bases.

In the seventh inning, Ohtani hit a single and then stole both second and third base, recording his 45th and 46th stolen bases of the season. He later scored on a fly ball by Freddie Freeman. Despite striking out in his final at-bat, Ohtani’s performance was instrumental in the Dodgers’ 11-6 victory over the Diamondbacks.

The Dodgers bounced back from a 3-14 loss the previous day with this win, and Ohtani’s remarkable performance has notably lifted the team’s spirits.