Stunning Shohei Ohtani makes history as first member of MLB’s 50/50 club

Shohei Ohtani wrote his name into baseball history with another incredible performance as the Los Angeles Dodgers secured a play-off spot with a 20-4 beating of the Miami Marlins.

The talk this week was whether the Japanese superstar could become the first player to join the 50/50 club with time running out in the regular season.

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He began a seven-game road trip on 47 home runs and 48 stolen bases. The first six games saw him register one homer and one stolen base.

But it all came together in spectacular fashion in South Florida as Ohtani enjoyed six hits, three home runs and two steals – the first time a player has registered three HR and two SB in a single game in MLB history – as well as 10 RBI to shatter the landmark.

“I’m glad that the team won and it was something I wanted to get over with as quickly as possible,” Ohtani told SportsNet LA through an interpreter. “It’s something I am going to cherish for a very long time.

“To be honest, I’m the one probably most surprised. I have no idea where this came from, but I’m glad that I performed well today.”

Shohei Ohtani spoke post-game with @kirsten_watson about his offensive performance, becoming the only player in the 50/50 club and clinching his first postseason berth. pic.twitter.com/OCh1CTs3JO

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) September 20, 2024

The history-clinching moment

After grabbing his 50th SB of the season in the first inning, the history-clinching 50th home run came in the seventh.

With two men on base, Ohtani launched a 1-2 pitch from Mike Baumann over the centre-field fence to spark wild celebrations. He added a 51st in the ninth off stand-in pitcher Vidal Brujan to complete an epic performance.

“That has to be the greatest baseball game of all time,” Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux said. 

“It has to be. There’s no way. It’s ridiculous. I’ve never seen anybody do that even in little leagues, so it’s crazy that he’s doing that at the highest level.”

6-FOR-6
THREE HOME RUNS
10 RUNS BATTED IN

SHOHEI OHTANI HAVE MERCY pic.twitter.com/VMJp9OqgjZ

— MLB (@MLB) September 19, 2024

A cool moment – Rojas

Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas added: “I almost cried, to be honest with you. 

“It was a lot of emotion, because of everything that happens behind the scenes that we get to witness every single day. It’s a pretty cool moment. We all know what he’s capable of doing, but for him to reach that mark – it’s pretty amazing.”