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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani continues to demonstrate 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 to hit 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases, and he did so with a number of firsts.
Ohtani had the first game of his career with three home runs – all after the sixth inning – on Thursday in Miami, his first game with six hits and a franchise and career high 10 RBIs, something no one has ever accomplished in MLB history.
He finished the night with 51 home runs and 51 steals.
“Hitting a home run is not the ideal path for me, so I try to focus on good at-bats,” Ohtani said through an interpreter.
He also stole two bases and nearly completed a cycle, but was thrown out at third base while attempting to turn his second double into a triple, showing off his rare combination of speed and power.
Ohtani will try to outdo himself again on Friday against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. His previous bests were 46 home runs and 26 stolen bases in 2021, when he won the first of his two American League Most Valuable Player awards with the Los Angeles Angels.
Now he is the favorite for the NL MVP award.
It seems like there are no limits for Ohtani.
With a grand slam in the ninth inning against Tampa Bay in his 126th game on August 23, he became the fastest player to reach the 40-40 mark.
He now has nine games left to see what he can do in the regular season.
The Dodgers secured their 12th consecutive postseason berth with their 20-4 victory over the Marlins. This is nothing new for them, but it is for Ohtani. He has played 865 games without a postseason appearance, more than any other active player.
When Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers last December, he made it clear that competing for a championship is what drives him.
“The ultimate 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 and never won a game.
The NL West-leading Dodgers are looking to win their eleventh division title in twelve seasons.
Ohtani’s amazing performances come in a season in which his best friend has cheated on him and he is absent from pitching as he recovers from elbow surgery last offseason.
He skipped the Home Run Derby during All-Star weekend in July to avoid possible further injuries, but hit a three-run homer as the designated hitter in the National League loss.
Not pitching has freshened Ohtani’s arms and legs and made him quicker, allowing him to focus on and improve other aspects of his game. He has refined his running and base-stealing skills and is learning how to force opposing pitchers to make good jumps by studying videos of their tendencies.
Dodgers fans could be witnessing a once-in-a-generation side of Ohtani’s game. When he returns to pitching every five days next year, his legs may not allow him to steal as many bases.
The Ohtani effect is also visible off the field.
Fans caused a commotion during the two raffles of his bobbleheads in and around Dodger Stadium. The final Ohtani promotion will take place on Saturday, when the first 40,000 fans will receive T-shirts with his likeness.
Japanese tourists flock to the stadium to take tours, which led the team to hire more Japanese-speaking guides. The team has also been able to sign a number of Japanese sponsors.
“He’s one of a kind,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
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AP MLB: https://www.apnews.com/hub/MLB
