The Los Angeles Dodgers continued their home winning streak with a 7-3 walk-off victory over the Tampa Bay Rays thanks to Shohei Ohtani’s record-breaking home run.

The two-time MVP became the fastest player in MLB history to record a 40-40 season and only the sixth to do so. He entered the game with a home run and a stolen base and accomplished both in the Dodgers’ victory.

Ohtani stole his 40th base of the season in the fourth inning after reaching base on an infield single against Tyler Alexander, then hit a walk-off grand slam against Colin Poche in the ninth inning to secure his place in the history books.

Ohtani’s 40th home run ball bounced back onto the field, but Rays centerfielder Jose Siri threw it back into the stands, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times:

Shohei Ohtani’s 40th home run bounced back onto the field and #Rays CF Jose Siri … threw him back into the stands.

— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) 24 August 2024

It is not clear whether Siri recognized the significance of the home run or whether the fan who received the ball returned it to the Dodgers.

Ohtani was involved in a similar situation last April when a fan caught his record-breaking 176th home run ball and decided to keep it.

Another fan who caught Ohtani’s first home run with the Dodgers agreed to return it in exchange for a pair of signed hats, a signed bat and a signed ball.

With about five weeks left in the regular season, Ohtani is now setting his sights on potentially becoming the first 45-45 or even 50-50 player.

Shohei Ohtani joins the 40-40 club

Ohtani was the sixth player to post a 40-40 season, joining Ronald Acuña Jr. (2023), Alfonso Soriano (2006), Alex Rodriguez (1998), Barry Bonds (1996) and Jose Canseco (1988).

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