Ohtani makes history
Shohei Ohtani has written his name into the annals of baseball history, becoming the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season.
picking up two steals and mashing three home runs as his team cruised to a 20-4 victory
The Los Angeles Dodgers star began the game against the Miami Marlins with 49 stolen bases and 48 home runs, and ended up with a monster game, picking up two steals and mashing three home runs as his team cruised to a 20-4 victory.
Ohtani had already joined the 30/30 club by August, becoming the third-fastest player in history to achieve the feat by games played. Later in the month, he became the fastest player to make the 40/40 club, before finally becoming the sole member of the 50/50 version.
$500k ball claimed
Upon hitting the legendary home run, the crowd saw some tussling as spectators competed for the now-iconic ball which sealed the record. One fan had reached out to catch what would be a hugely memorable piece of history, but his fielding skills let him down at the vital moment as it tumbled into the seats below.
The fan who eventually claimed the ball reportedly entered a discussion with Dodgers officials after the game, but in the end walked away from the stadium with it in his possession.
Speaking to NBC News, Dillon Kohler of auction firm and sports memorabilia specialists SCP Auctions, said the ball could fetch a significant price, saying: “I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s $300,000-plus, maybe even over half a million dollars.”
Ohtani praised
A crowd of 15,548 was in attendance at LoanDepot Stadium in Miami to witness Ohtani’s triumph, rewarding him with a standing ovation in recognition of his historic feat. His teammates also sported 50/50 t-shirts which had been printed in advance in anticipation of the achievement.
The record books were not only edited for Ohtani’s performance over the season, either – he also became the first player with three home runs and two stolen bases in the same game, and the first player since RBI became an official stat in 1920 to achieve ten RBI and five extra-base hits in the same game.
The game also clinched a playoff spot for the Dodgers, which will mark Ohtani’s first ever postseason appearance.
That has to be the greatest baseball game of all time.”
Ohtani’s teammates and opposition alike were quick to herald his performance. Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux said: “That has to be the greatest baseball game of all time. It has to be. There’s no way. It’s ridiculous. I’ve never seen anybody do that even in little leagues, so it’s crazy that he’s doing that at the highest level.”
The man himself, however, was far more modest. Speaking after the game, Ohtani said: “If I’m being honest, it was something I wanted to get over as soon as possible because the balls were being exchanged every time I was up to bat.”