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[JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] Shohei Ohtani is on Pace to Become MLB's 1st 50-50 Player

Four days after stealing three bases to raise his season total to 46, Shohei Ohtani hit his 45th homer. The Dodgers have 20 games left as Ohtani chases history.

Published

1 week ago

September 8, 2024

Ed Odeven

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani smacks a solo home run in the sixth inning against the Cleveland Guardians on September 6 at Dodger Stadium. (©KYODO)

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Shohei Ohtani slugged his 45th home run of the season on Friday, September 6. It was a 413-foot (126-meter) blast to center field off Cleveland Guardians starter Matthew Boyd in the sixth inning.

Ohtani is now one homer shy of matching his career-high total, which he had in 2021 for his former team, the Los Angeles Angels.

In his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani is the National League leader in homers and is second in the NL in RBIs (100), one behind Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Willy Adames through Saturday.

Generating headlines from coast to coast in the United States and around the clock in Japan, Ohtani remains on pace to become the first player in MLB history to have 50 homers and 50 stolen bases in the same season.

In addition to his 45 homers, Ohtani has 46 stolen bases, increasing that total with a three-steal effort on September 2 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

After the Dodgers' 7-2 win over the Guardians on Saturday, they had 20 regular-season games remaining. Ohtani was 0-for-4 in the win, and he's now on pace to finish with 51 homers and 52 steals.

In Awe of Shohei Ohtani

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is in charge of filling out the team's lineup card before each game. Another big part of his job is evaluating the individual performances of his players.

While watching two-time MVP Ohtani play day after day, Roberts marvels at the superstar's accomplishments in his first season with the Dodgers, including his pursuit of 50 homers and 50 stolen bases.

"There is a reason why it's never been done. I guess if you are looking at [his] skill set, then if there's anyone that can do it, it's Shohei," Roberts told MLB Network. "The stolen bases are meaningful bags, then the home runs, they have impacted wins for us. It is just such a remarkable season, so storybook. You know when you think he can't rewrite the script or rise to a certain expectation at any moment, he does."

Perspective from Shohei Ohtani

Speaking to reporters after getting three steals against the Diamondbacks on September 2, Ohtani said he believes he has a good shot at becoming the first member of MLB's 50-50 club (only six players have had 40-40 seasons).

"I don't know how many games I have left, but if I can play as many games as possible in a healthy condition, I think I have a chance," Ohtani was quoted as saying by NHK.

After the Angels failed to qualify for the playoffs in all six of Ohtani's seasons with the team, he is energized by the NL West-leading Dodgers' quest to finish the season strong and their quest for a World Series title.

"It is special because I have never played before [for a title contender]," Ohtani said, according to the Japanese public broadcaster. "And it is also a new experience for me to play against a team competing for first place in the same division at this time of year, so there are many tense games.

"I feel like I am more focused on the game in front of me personally as well as the team."

Continue reading the full story, which also includes news items on soccer, golf, basketball and boxing, on SportsLook.

Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.