Shohei Ohtani continues record-breaking week, becomes first player in MLB with 5 home runs and 6 stolen bases in 4 games
Records continue to tumble at the feet of Shohei Ohtani. This past Thursday, the Japanese superstar became the first player to hit 50 runs and steal 50 bases in a single season. On Sunday afternoon, Ohtani set another new benchmark after recording five home runs and six stolen bases within a span of four games.
The Los Angeles Dodgers hosted the Colorado Rockies for the final encounter of their three-game set, with the series tied at one win apiece. The Dodgers were heading for a second straight defeat to the Rockies until Shohei Ohtani hit a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to level the scores. Mookie Betts then followed up with a homer of his own to earn a 6-5 walk-off win and seal the series.
Ohtani looks to be in the best shape of his career from an offensive standpoint, and he added four more hits to his tally on Sunday. He started the game with a pair of singles and advanced from first to second both times to add a couple more steals before knocking the game-tying home run in the ninth inning. Ohtani currently has 55 stolen bases and 53 home runs for the season.
The past week will live long in the memory of MLB fans, not only because Shohei Ohtani set the 50-50 mark but also because of the manner in which he did so. Over his past seven games, Ohtani has batted .500/.543/1.125 with an OPS of 1.668. During this time, he has gone 16-32 at the plate with nine extra-base hits, six home runs, and 17 RBIs as a leadoff hitter in addition to seven stolen bases.
Shohei Ohtani is predicted to set more records in 2024
Having signed a record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract with the LA Dodgers in the offseason, Shohei Ohtani has delivered a truly memorable season. Ohtani has set records in various offensive categories after being ruled out from pitching duties following an elbow reconstruction surgery last year.
Last month, Ohtani became the sixth player to join the 40-40 club and the fastest to complete the feat. He is also the only one to achieve it as a designated hitter, having already set the record for the most stolen bases while playing that particular position. Ohtani reached the unprecedented 45-45 mark earlier this month before improving to 50-50 on Thursday.
This puts Shohei Ohtani firmly in line for a third MVP honor, although the award has never been handed out to a player serving primarily as a DH until now. Ohtani is also in line to become the first player to be crowned MVP in the American League and the National League over the past 50 years.