Shohei Ohtani knows no other way of getting things done – by being simply amazing.
Ohtani on Thursday (19 September) became the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season with a three-homer, two-stolen base and 10-RBI game in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 20-4 blowout of the Miami Marlins.
Ohtani went an incredible 6-for-6 and the 10RBIs were a Dodgers record. He now stands at 51-51 with nine games left in the season, and the win sealed the team a place in the playoffs – which would be the first in Ohtani’s seven-year major league career.
“I don’t know what went on out there. I’ve never hit like this in my life before so I’m shocked more than anyone,” Ohtani said after his historic night at loanDepot Park, the same stadium where he won the World Baseball Classic for Japan last year.
“I wanted to do it as soon as possible so I’m glad I got it done today. This will be a day I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.
“I’m on a different team now but (playing in the post-season) is something I’ve been dreaming of ever since I came to the majors.
“It’s turned out to be a fantastic day.”
Fellow LA-based superstar LeBron James summed up Ohtani’s achievement well in a post on X: