Shohei Ohtani, the star of the Los Angeles Dodgers, took another step and needs just two home runs and two stolen bases to become MLB’s first 50-50 player, an achievement that would place him firmly in the pantheon of the sport’s greats.
The two-time AL MVP hit a two-run homer off Miami Marlins starter Darren McCaughan in the third inning of Game 1 of the series between the teams, which ended in an 11-9 victory for the Marlins.
With 48 home runs and 48 stolen bases, Shohei Ohtani is now tied with Adrián Beltré for the second-most home runs in a single season in Dodgers history. Shawn Green, who hit 49 homers in 2001, holds the franchise record.
Amid the pressure Ohtani might be facing, he responded clearly through his MLB.com interpreter: “No pressure,” Ohtani said. “(I’m) just trying to maintain quality at-bats no matter the situation, something I’ve been trying to do over the course of the season.”
Dodgers’ manager provides insight into Ohtani’s mindset under pressure.
Although Dodgers manager Dave Roberts doesn’t believe Ohtani feels the pressure of becoming the first 50-50 player, he acknowledges it’s on his mind. “I do think that it’s front of mind,” Roberts said. “And I do feel that’s somewhat natural. I think he just wants to get it over with, but he’s still trying to compete and help us win baseball games.”
Importantly, earlier this week, Ohtani became the first player in 130 years to record 85 extra-base hits (XBH) and 45 steals in a single season, joining Hugh Duffy as the only other player to accomplish the feat. Duffy recorded 85 XBHs and 48 steals in 1894, playing for the Boston Beaneaters.
Ohtani’s future
The two-way star hasn’t been pitching while recovering from elbow surgery, but Roberts hasn’t ruled out a return to the mound for the 30-year-old during the postseason.