"I expect Shohei Ohtani to do something different" - Ex-MLB star unsurprised but observes renewed aggression in Dodgers superstar's 50-50 ambition
It feels like a broken record at this point, but Shohei Ohtani continues to defy what many believed was possible on a baseball field. The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar, who made a living as a two-way sensation, has been religated to full-time designated hitting this season. he is showcasing just how incredible he is when solely focused on one aspect of the game.
The National League MVP Award favorite has been simply outstanding at the plate and is on the verge of putting together something that has never been seen before. Shohei Ohtani is currently on-pace to become the first player in MLB history to record a 50 home run and 50 stolen base season, cementing himself as one of the best to ever play the game.
Despite Ohtani's electric season, former St. Louis Cardinals utilityman Xavier Scruggs in no longer surprised that the Dodgers star continues to make history. In an interview on MLB Netwrok Radio, Scruggs explained that Ohtani just continues to do something impressive on a daily basis:
"It doesn't even amaze me anymore just because I expect him to do something different everyday."
Shohei Ohtani came into the 2024 season with a number of question marks and obstacles to overcome, including his elbow surgery, his former interpreter stealing millions of dollars and living up to his mammoth new contract. All that being said, he is seemingly better than ever and could make baseball history by recording a 50-50 season.
"It think 50-50 is going to be inevitable, I think he wants it, and he's showed us how aggressive he is on the basepaths," Scruggs said of Ohtani's historic season.
Entering Monday's action, Shohei Ohtani sits at 46 home runs and 46 stolen bases. The fact that the Los Angeles Dodgers have 19 games remaining in the regular season makes it seem likely that the two-time MVP will etch his name in baseball history book yet again.
Shohei Ohtani is on the cusp of finally making his postseason debut
Even though Ohtani is on pace to make baseball history for one of the greatest individual seasons, from a big picture perspective, he is also about to open another chapter of his great career. For the first time ever, Shohei Ohtani will participate in the playoffs.
It may be one of the most disappointing stretches in a franchise's history, however, during Ohtani's six seasons paired alongside Mike Trout with the Los Angeles Angels, they never reached the postseason. Now after making the jump to the Dodgers in the offseason, Ohtani will finally get his first taste of playoff baseball.
Currently, the Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the heavy favorites to win the World Series, giving Ohtani an opportunity to cap his potential 50-50 season with a championship ring. It's safe to say that life is good for Ohtani right now.