Shohei Ohtani has once again made history in impressive style.
The Dodgers star hit a walk-off grand slam against the Rays on Friday night, marking his 40th home run of the season. This achievement makes him the quickest player to reach this milestone in MLB history. Ohtani becomes the first 40/40 player in Dodgers’ history and only the sixth in MLB history.
The two-time AL MVP, who is currently a frontrunner for the NL MVP, entered the game with 39 home runs and 39 stolen bases. He stole a base in the fourth inning and grounded out in two subsequent at-bats. With the game tied and bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning, Ohtani blasted the first pitch from Colin Poche just over the right-center fence, securing a 7-3 victory for the Dodgers.
Ohtani reached the 40/40 club in just 126 games, breaking the former record of 147 games held by Alfonso Soriano in 2006.
With over a month left in the season, Ohtani is on track to potentially become the first player in MLB history to achieve 45 home runs and 45 stolen bases in a single season.
Here’s how previous 40/40 seasons compare to Ohtani’s remarkable performance:
1988: José Canseco, Oakland Athletics: .307/.391/.569/.959; 42 HR, 40 SB
1996: Barry Bonds, San Francisco Giants: .308/.461/.615/1.076; 42 HR, 40 SB
1998: Álex Rodríguez, Seattle Mariners: .310/.360/.560/.919; 42 HR, 46 SB
2006: Alfonso Soriano, Washington Nationals: .277/.351/.560/.911; 46 HR, 41 SB
2023: Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta Braves: .337/.416/.596/1.012; 41 HR, 73 SB
2024: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers: .292/.378/.614/.992; 40 HR, 40 SB (as of Aug. 23rd)
Ohtani’s spectacular home run on Friday may have secured him a third MVP award and positioned him closer to an unprecedented 50/50 season.
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