Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani made MLB history today becoming the first player in the sport's history to hit 50 HR and steal 50 bases in a single season.
Ohtani reached both marks today going 6-for-6 at the plate with 3 HR, 2 stolen bases with 10 RBI in a 20-4 shellacking of the Miami Marlins.
Oh yes, the Dodgers also clinched a playoff berth marking the first time Ohtani will play October baseball in his MLB career after spending his first six seasons with the crosstown Los Angeles Angels.
The shame of it all is that fewer than 16,000 fans were on hand to see it in Miami's Loan Depot Stadium. Well, they certainly got their money's worth even if they were rooting for the Marlins.
The 2024 season began inauspiciously with a gambling scandal involving his interpreter who pled guilty to bank and tax fraud charges.
It remains to be seen if any of this will catch up to Ohtani himself. Whatever the case, it did not impede Ohtani's ability to play baseball. Ohtani will surely win his third MVP in four seasons and become only the second MLB player to win the MVP in both leagues joining Frank Robinson who did so with the Cincinnati Reds in 1961 and the Baltimore Orioles in 1966.
With 9 games left in the regular season, Ohtani is hitting .294 with 51 HR and 120 RBI along with 51 stolen bases. Ohtani leads the NL in both HR and RBI and is second in steals behind Elly de la Cruz of the Cincinnati Reds who has 64 thefts.
Whatever comes after, Ohtani has certainly reached the pinnacle of his career and he will be forever remembered for this game.
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