His origin story is unlikely, growing up in a small city in northern Japan where he played catch for hours with his brother and dad, who worked at the local Mitsubishi plant.
On Thursday night, the kid from Oshu slugged and stole his way to baseball immortality.
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers went 6 for 6 with two home runs, two doubles, two steals, 10 RBI, and four runs scored, unleashing perhaps the greatest offensive performance ever, and becoming the first player in history to exceed 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season.
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With his rare combination of power and speed, the 30-year-old $700 million superstar inaugurated the first 50/50 club with his two opening home runs, as the Dodgers crushed the Marlins 20-4 at loanDepot Park. Then he added another home run and another stolen base to set a new 51/51 record. In all, Ohtani collected 17 total bases.
And he is certainly not done making history: There are nine games left in the regular season.
“To be honest with you, I’m the one who’s probably the most surprised,” Ohtani told SportsNetLA.
Until this year, only five men ever hit at least 40 home runs and stole at least 40 bases. Ohtani joined their ranks then blasted by them: Alfonso Soriano, then a Washington National, held the previous record of 46 home runs with 41 steals, while last year Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves slammed 41 home runs with an astonishing 73 steals.
"We're watching the greatest player to ever play the game, and he's not even pitching this year," said Dodgers teammate Gavin Lux as the team celebrated with Veuve Clicquot champagne commemorative T-shirts. “I’ve never seen anybody do that even in little league,” Lux added, according to The New York Times. “So it’s crazy that he’s doing that at the highest level.”
A dominant pitcher in past seasons, Ohtani is recovering from Tommy John surgery and is the designated hitter on the Dodgers.
“I think he was just feeling good, feeling sexy and just knew, like, ‘I’m about to do this today,’” said Dodgers superstar right fielder Mookie Betts, according to The New York Times. “I mean, he could’ve had four homers today. I’m at a loss for words.”
Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers earlier this year. Unlike some players who fizzle after megadeals, Ohtani has smashed his way into the record books. Indeed, no other 50+ home run hitter had ever stolen more than 30 bases, until Ohtani.
Meanwhile, the fan who grabbed Ohtani's 50th home run ball after a scramble in left field is not returning it to the Dodgers. MLB Network's Craig Mish reported that the fan engaged in a "discussion" with the team but decided to keep the ball, which could be worth more than $100,000.
