Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers has achieved an incredible feat in Major League Baseball (MLB) by becoming the first player to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. Ohtani made history during the Dodgers’ 20-4 victory over the Miami Marlins on Thursday, where he hit three home runs to reach a total of 51 stolen bases. This landmark achievement has never been accomplished in the over 200-year history of the sport.
The Japanese player expressed surprise at his own performance, stating that he had no idea where it came from but was glad to have performed well. Ohtani has had an eventful year, signing a lucrative contract with the Dodgers after spending six seasons with the Angels. He is currently not pitching due to recovering from elbow surgery and has faced a scandal involving a former friend and interpreter who stole money from him to repay gambling debts.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged Ohtani’s accomplishment, highlighting the significance of achieving something unprecedented in the history of the game. Ohtani himself focused on the team’s success rather than his individual record, expressing his happiness for the team’s victory. Despite the attention on his 50-50 pursuit, Ohtani stated that he wanted to quickly move past it and cherish the achievement for a long time.
Earlier in the season, Ohtani became the all-time leader in home runs among Japanese-born players in MLB. His success on the field has solidified his status as a remarkable talent in the sport and a key player for the Dodgers.
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