Shohei Ohtani hits 50 home runs and steals 50 bases

MIAMI (AP) — Shohei Ohtani became the first major leaguer to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season, the Los Angeles Dodgers star hitting deep twice to reach the half-century mark and stealing two bags to reach 51 against the Miami Marlins on Thursday.

Ohtani hits his 50th home run in the seventh inning, a two-run shot to the opposite field against Marlins reliever Mike Baumann. An inning earlier, he had hit his 49th, throw a 1-1 cursor from George Soriano 438 feet to the second bridge at center right.

He took care of the stolen bases earlier in the game, stealing his 50th in the first and his 51st in the second.

The Japanese star started the match with a double against Edward Cabrera and slipped the third ahead of a double steal with Freddie Freeman, who reached on a walk.

Ohtani has completed his last 28 stolen base attempts.

He reached the milestone in his 150th game. Ohtani was already the sixth player in major league history and the fastest to reach 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season, in just 126 games.

Ohtani’s previous record for home runs was 46 for the Los Angeles Angels in 2021, when he also made 23 starts on the mound and won his first of two AL MVP Awards.

Manager Dave Roberts said before Thursday’s game that he noticed Ohtani becoming more aggressive on the bases in the second half of the season.

“I also think Shohei has realized how good a base stealer he has become or can become,” Roberts said. “I think he enjoys the challenge of studying pitchers and learning their tendencies. I think that’s something that intrigues him.”

Ohtani’s previous career high in steals was 26, also in 2021. He did not pitch this season while recovering from elbow surgery, allowing him to focus his attention on batting and baserunning as the Dodgers’ everyday designated hitter.

AP MLB: https://www.apnews.com/hub/MLB