The 2024 season became a year filled with historic achievements for Shohei Ohtani, but one game in particular stands out above all the others:

September 19 against the Miami Marlins.

Entering the game, Ohtani had already reached 48 home runs and 49 stolen bases, putting him on the verge of becoming the first player in Major League Baseball history to achieve 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season.

Expectations were enormous.

Many believed he could quickly reach 50 stolen bases, but that the home run milestone might still take some time.

Instead, Ohtani delivered one of the greatest offensive performances baseball has ever seen.

He stole two bases, collected six hits, launched three home runs, and drove in ten runs — instantly raising his totals to 51 home runs and 51 stolen bases.

It was an overwhelming display of power and dominance.

At the same time, the Dodgers clinched their twelfth consecutive postseason appearance, and chants of “MVP!” naturally echoed throughout the stadium.

After the game, Ohtani admitted:

“I’ve never hit like this in my life. Honestly, I’m the one most surprised by it. It became one of my favorite ballparks I’ve ever played in.”

Only six players in MLB history — including Ohtani — had ever achieved 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases.

But 50–50 had never been done before.

Even Marlins manager Skip Schumaker, who chose not to intentionally walk Ohtani during the game, praised the historic moment afterward.

“It wasn’t a good day for the Marlins,” he said, “but it was a good day for baseball.”

That night became more than just a record-breaking performance.

It became one of the defining moments in baseball history.

Source

This quote comes from a Japanese book published in Japan and is not currently available in English.

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