Shohei Ohtani makes history with MLB's first 50-homer, 50-steal season

[{"selector":"#anim-5ede375a-ee44-4dc8-9996-d0dc81931739 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9bcfcade-cf78-44a3-9d20-dd31c9ab2fa0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Shohei Ohtani continues to build despite career-altering obstacles. He continues to make history by recycling his immense talents.

[{"selector":"#anim-05b932d4-5db1-4976-8de7-7b1cfa3ec796 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(14.2973856731078%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-72b20c77-89cd-4099-b5e4-f1e2f5a5ff4f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] In his first season with the Dodgers, Ohtani is a bats-only option after reconstructive surgery on his second elbow in 2024. He has boosted his leg prospects after repairing his right hand.

[{"selector":"#anim-770e2759-8423-48ce-81be-f1d48212d36e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ddd6e72b-9419-4087-be8f-386b57f3fc87","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Ohtani became the first player in baseball history to blast 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season, breaking the ceiling for a 6-foot-4, 210-pound slugger and Cy Young-caliber pitcher.

The Dodgers' 20-4 win secured a playoff berth, allowing Ohtani to play in the postseason for the first time in his career of seven seasons. The 30-year-old two-time American League MVP.

[{"selector":"#anim-a686ed16-1ecf-4dab-af57-663bdab517d4 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(6.203703726289998%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-21e26fba-5be1-4d4d-b5d0-fce3dc91841a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

[{"selector":"#anim-7409d0dd-f1ea-4146-9d7b-ceba5395f888 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bd24ec1d-63c8-4589-a873-d1ef52609b5f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Ohtani immediately checked the latter with 48 homers and 49 stolen bases in Thursday’s series finale at loanDepot Park.

His leadoff double off Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera stole third and with two outs scored the game’s opening run. After hitting an RBI single, Ohtani stole second for his 51st steal an inning later.

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[{"selector":"#anim-e67f15ad-fdd4-4900-842f-ac9263f3b75b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-5.864238979760991%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e780ec18-081e-4b2c-bcd4-08bc091b651b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] But the sad-sack Marlins kept Ohtani alive. In the ninth inning, Miami called on infielder Vidal Bruján to pitch as the Dodgers led 14-3.When Ohtani was fifth, Max Muncy and Chris Taylor reached base to give him another chance..

[{"selector":"#anim-5d40d07e-1e6b-4cd5-ac17-db8867c7bb00 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-698d9a4a-d635-4861-b90c-3c6661064d36","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] As this season unfolds, Ohtani quietly and diligently rehabs his right elbow. He plans to pitch in 2025, with the world hoping he can match his 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings and 3.01 career ERA after a second elbow operation.

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