September 20, 2024 – In a performance that will be remembered as one of the greatest individual displays in baseball history, Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani became the first player ever to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season, accomplishing the feat in spectacular fashion during a 20-4 demolition of the Miami Marlins on September 19.
A Historic Game for the Ages
Shohei Ohtani’s journey into baseball immortality was anything but subtle. In a game that seemed scripted by Hollywood, he went 6-for-6 at the plate with three home runs, two doubles, a single, two stolen bases, and a career-high 10 RBIs. The performance shattered multiple records and clinched the Dodgers’ 12th consecutive playoff berth.
The historic achievement began in the first inning when Shohei Ohtani doubled and promptly stole his 50th base of the season. One inning later, he swiped his 51st base with casual efficiency, trotting into second with two outs as if performing just another routine play.
But Shohei Ohtani was just getting started. After another double in the third inning, he hit his 49th home run in the sixth, tying Shawn Green’s franchise record with a towering two-run shot to the second deck in right-center field. The stage was set for history.
The 50th Home Run
In the seventh inning, with the Dodgers already comfortably ahead 14-3, Ohtani stepped to the plate facing reliever Mike Baumann. After taking a couple of mighty swings, he found himself in a 1-2 count. Baumann went to his knuckle-curve for the second straight pitch, leaving it near the middle of the strike zone.
Shohei Ohtani stayed back and drove the ball 391 feet into the Recess Sports Lounge beyond left-center field. As the ball sailed over the fence, he momentarily stood at the plate, shouting in excitement before beginning his trip around the bases. Upon reaching the dugout, his teammates mobbed him in celebration. Ohtani then emerged for a rare curtain call on the road, acknowledging the significance of the moment.
“To be honest, I’m the one probably most surprised,” Ohtani said after the game. “I have no idea where this came from but I’m glad that I performed well today.”
Not Done Yet
As remarkable as reaching 50-50 was, Shohei Ohtani wasn’t finished. In the ninth inning, with the game thoroughly decided, he launched his third home run of the night off position player Vidal Bruján, who had been pressed into pitching duty. The blast was Ohtani’s 51st of the season, breaking Green’s franchise record and providing an emphatic exclamation point to one of baseball’s most memorable performances.
“For him, knowing that he’s right there on the edge of history and to somehow stay inside a pitch and hit it on a line to left-center and not try to get too big — you know he’s thinking about hitting a home run, and he hits it 111 mph on a line the other way. It’s just incredible,” said Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy about Ohtani’s 50th homer.
A Season Like No Other
The 50-50 accomplishment came just 27 days after Shohei Ohtani joined the exclusive 40-40 club with a walk-off grand slam. At that point, he became the sixth member of that club and the fastest to reach it. But Ohtani immediately set his sights higher, and the final weeks of the season saw him steadily march toward unprecedented territory.
Several legendary players had come tantalizingly close to 50-50 before. Alex Rodriguez posted a 42-46 season in 1998. Alfonso Soriano achieved 46-41 in 2006. Ronald Acuña Jr. stole 73 bases while hitting 41 home runs in 2023. But none had ever reached both thresholds simultaneously.
What makes Shohei Ohtani’s achievement even more remarkable is that he accomplished it while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Unable to pitch during the 2024 season following elbow surgery, Ohtani served as a designated hitter and proved that even without his two-way abilities, he remains one of baseball’s most dominant players.
The $700 Million Man Delivers
The pressure on Shohei Ohtani entering the 2024 season was immense. After signing a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers, the richest deal in American sports history, he needed to prove he was worth the unprecedented investment. He wasted no time doing so, homering in his first Spring Training appearance and never looking back.
His 51 home runs set a new Dodgers single-season record, and his 51 stolen bases demonstrated speed and baserunning acumen rarely seen from power hitters. The combination of elite power, speed, and batting average (.294 for the season) made him the overwhelming favorite for the National League MVP award.
While Shohei Ohtani has been a groundbreaking player for many years, his latest feat as the first 50-50 player in the history of Major League Baseball reflects not just his amazing power-and-speed talent, but his character, his drive, and his commitment to all-around excellence, Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.
The Humble Superstar
Despite his otherworldly accomplishments, Shohei Ohtani has maintained the humble demeanor that has endeared him to fans worldwide. His sheepish smile and rhythmic shoulder shrugs in the dugout after his historic achievements conveyed a sense of genuine amazement at his own performance.
“I almost cried, to be honest with you,” said Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas about witnessing Shohei Ohtani’s historic game. “It was a lot of emotion, because of everything that happens behind the scenes that we get to witness every single day.”
The historic moment resonated far beyond Miami. In Shohei Ohtani’s native Japan, newspapers rushed out special editions announcing the achievement. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated during a press conference that the Japanese government “would like to congratulate him from the bottom of our heart” and expressed hope that Shohei Ohtani “will thrive further.”
Continuing to Add to the Legacy
Shohei Ohtani didn’t stop at 50-50. Over the season’s final games, he continued accumulating both home runs and stolen bases, ultimately finishing with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases. His quest for 60 stolen bases came up just short, but the final totals only emphasized the extraordinary nature of his season.
The memorabilia from his achievement has also made history. The auction for the ball from his 50th home run started at $500,000 with a direct purchase option at $4.5 million. If sold at that price, it would dwarf the previous record for a home run ball by $1.5 million.
First Playoff Appearance
Perhaps the sweetest aspect of Ohtani’s historic season was that it came as the Dodgers clinched their playoff berth. Throughout his time with the Los Angeles Angels, despite multiple MVP awards and incredible individual performances, Ohtani’s teams never reached the postseason. Now, with the Dodgers, he would finally have the opportunity to showcase his talents in October.
“For us as teammates, it’s just a privilege to watch him every single day,” Rojas said. “This game has been around for a long time, and to do something that’s never been done — he’s one of one.”
The Broader Impact
Ohtani’s 50-50 season represents more than just a statistical milestone. It demonstrates what’s possible when elite talent meets relentless work ethic and complete dedication to excellence. In an era when specialization has become the norm, Ohtani has proven that the most valuable players are those who can impact the game in multiple ways.
His achievement has reinvigorated interest in stolen bases and aggressive baserunning, reminding fans that baseball’s most exciting moments often come not just from home runs but from daring plays on the basepaths. The combination of power and speed at this level creates a unique challenge for opposing teams, as they must account for threats both at the plate and on the bases.
“This is a win for Major League Baseball,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He couldn’t be more humble. He couldn’t be a more talented player. It couldn’t be a more deserving person.”
What’s Next
As Ohtani entered his first MLB postseason, questions shifted from individual achievements to team success. Could he translate his regular season dominance to October? Would the Dodgers finally capture the World Series championship that has eluded them in recent years?
But regardless of playoff results, September 19, 2024, will forever be remembered as the day Shohei Ohtani created a club with only one member. The 50-50 season stands as a testament to his unique brilliance and may remain an unmatched achievement for generations to come.
In a sport that has existed for over a century and seen countless legendary players, Ohtani has managed to do something no one else ever accomplished. That alone ensures his place among the all-time greats, with potentially many more historic moments still to come in his remarkable career.
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