In the most spectacular game of his historic career, Shohei Ohtani became the first major league player to hit more than 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season by hitting three home runs and stealing two bases against the Miami Marlins on Thursday.

Ohtani hit his 49th home run in the sixth inning, his 50th in the seventh and his 51st in the ninth. He finished 6-for-6 with 10 RBIs, becoming the first major league player to hit three home runs and steal two bases in a game.

“It was something I wanted to get over with as quickly as possible. And you know, it’s something I’m going to cherish for a very long time,” Ohtani said through an interpreter in a televised interview.

The Japanese superstar hit two of his three home runs at LoanDepot Park off the second deck in right-center. In the sixth inning, he hit a 1-1 slider by George Soriano 438 feet for his 49th home run.

Ohtani hit his 50th home run in the seventh inning, a hit to left outfield that scored him two runs, against Marlins relief pitcher Mike Baumann. Then, in the ninth, his 51st flew 440 feet to right center field, a hit that scored him three runs, against Marlins second baseman Vidal Brujan, who came in as a pitcher with the game still undecided. The Dodgers won 20-4 and clinched their 12th consecutive playoff berth.

“To be honest, I’m probably the one who’s most surprised,” Ohtani said. “I have no idea where that came from, but I’m glad it went well today.”

Ohtani took care of the stolen bases early in the game, stealing his 50th in the first inning and his 51st in the second inning.

He broke the Dodgers’ franchise record of 49 home runs, set by Shawn Green in 2001. And he became the third player in major league history with at least six hits, three home runs and 10 RBIs in a game, joining Cincinnati’s Walker Cooper in 1949 and Washington’s Anthony Rendon in 2017.

The Japanese superstar opened the game with a double against Edward Cabrera and secured third base with a double steal against Freddie Freeman, who got to third base on a walk.

Ohtani has been successful in his last 28 attempts to steal a base.

Historic season

Ohtani’s previous career high in home runs was 46 for the Los Angeles Angels in 2021, when he also made 23 starting appearances on the mound and won his first of two American League MVP awards.

Already widely recognized as baseball’s greatest player, whose performance as a pitcher and batter surpassed that of Babe Ruth, Ohtani reached new heights as an offensive player during his one-year break from pitching.

Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers last December. The two-way star, who previously played six years with the Los Angeles Angels, played exclusively as a designated hitter this season as he recovers from surgery a year ago for a damaged elbow ligament.

Preparation was key to Ohtani becoming the first member of the 50-50 club. He regularly consulted with the team’s hitting coaches and studied videos of opposing pitchers to understand their tendencies with hitters and baserunners.

“I see how much work he puts in,” Dodgers catcher Will Smith said recently. “It’s not like he goes out there and it’s too easy for him. He works harder than anyone else. He’s a real scout. He plays a different game, so it’s nice to see that.”

Mission 50-50

Ohtani seemed to make the 50-50 mark his mission. He increased the frequency of his attempts to steal bases and in turn, his success rate increased.

But that may no longer be the case next year when he returns to the hill.

“He’s not throwing this year, so I think he’s giving it his all offensively,” manager Dave Roberts said. “I think the power, the on-base percentage, the average, he can do that as a pitcher. He’s done something very similar with his OPS. But as far as stolen bases, I’m not sure.”

Ohtani’s teammates enjoyed watching him hit home runs and scamper around the bases.

Third baseman Max Muncy added: “Every night I feel like he’s doing something we’ve never seen before.”

What’s next for Ohtani?

The Dodgers head to the postseason in October, which will be another first for Ohtani. He never made it there with the Angels, who never won during his tenure in Anaheim.

Another possible first could be the National League MVP award as a designated hitter. No player who played most of his time as a DH – without pitching – has ever won the MVP title, although Don Baylor, Edgar Martinez and David Ortiz have finished high in the voting.

It would be Ohtani’s third MVP award of his career.