Ohtani keeps showing a flair for the dramatic during his historic 1st season with the Dodgers
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani keeps showing a flair for the dramatic during his historic first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Japanese superstar became the only player in major league history with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases, doing so with a slew of firsts.
Ohtani had the first three-homer game of his career — all coming after the sixth inning — his first six-hit game and a franchise and career-record 10 RBIs in Miami on Thursday. No one in MLB history has done that before.
He finished the night with 51 homers and 51 steals.
“Going for a home run is not the ideal way for me to hit a home run, so I try to focus on quality at-bats,” Ohtani said through an interpreter.
He also stole two bases and nearly hit for the cycle, but was thrown out at third trying to stretch his second double into a triple while showing off his rare combination of speed and power.
Ohtani resumes trying to top himself on Friday at Dodger Stadium against the Colorado Rockies. His previous bests were 46 homers and 26 stolen bases in 2021, when he won the first of his two American League Most Valuable Player awards while playing for the Los Angeles Angels.
Now he’s the favorite for NL MVP honors.
It seems there are no limits for Ohtani.
He was the fastest player to reach the 40-40 mark with a ninth-inning grand slam against Tampa Bay in his 126th game on Aug. 23 .
Now he has nine games left to see what else he can do in the regular season.
The Dodgers clinched a postseason berth for the 12th consecutive season with their 20-4 rout of the Marlins. It’s nothing new for them, but it is for Ohtani. He has played 865 games without making a postseason appearance, more than any other active player.
Ohtani made it clear in signing a $700 million, 10-year deal with the Dodgers last December that competing for a championship is what drives him.
“The No. 1 goal is to get to the postseason and win the World Series,” he said last month.
During his six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, they never made the playoffs or had a winning record.
The NL West-leading Dodgers are looking to lock up their 11th division title in 12 seasons.
Ohtani’s amazing feats are occurring during a season in which his closest friend betrayed him and he isn’t pitching while he rehabilitates from elbow surgery last offseason.
He skipped the Home Run Derby during All-Star weekend in July to avoid potential further injury, although as designated hitter he slugged a three-run homer in the National League’s loss.
Not pitching has kept Ohtani’s arms and legs fresher and quicker, while allowing him to focus and improve on other parts of his game. He’s honed his craft of running and stealing bases, learning how to get good jumps off opposing pitchers by studying video of their tendencies.
Dodgers fans could be witnessing a once in a generation side of Ohtani’s game. Once he resumes pitching every five days next year, his legs may not allow him to steal as many bases.
The Ohtani effect is visible off the field, too.
Fans created mob scenes in and around Dodger Stadium during his two bobblehead giveaways. The final Ohtani promotion is Saturday when T-shirts featuring his likeness will be given to the first 40,000 fans.
Japanese tourists flock to the stadium for tours, resulting in the team adding more Japanese-speaking guides. The team has signed a slew of Japanese sponsors, too.
“He’s one of one,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
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