Shohei Ohtani is now the fastest player to achieve 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in MLB history.
On Friday night, Ohtani hit a two-out grand slam in the ninth inning for his 40th home run after stealing his 40th base earlier, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 7-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Ohtani reached this milestone in just 126 games and the Dodgers’ 129th game of the season, setting a new record and becoming the sixth player ever to hit 40 homers and steal 40 bases in a season. He is also the first Dodgers player to do so.
“It’s really more about the winning,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “The record is part of the process, but the most important thing is winning the game.”
He broke the previous record set by Alfonso Soriano, who achieved it in Game 148 for the Washington Nationals in 2006.
“It’s just storybook — 40-40 on the same night,” manager Dave Roberts said. “I don’t know if that’s ever been done, and then he wins it with a grand slam. He’s definitely known for the dramatics, and this was something I’ll remember for a long time.”
Ohtani’s 389-foot home run broke a 3-3 tie. Rays center fielder Jose Siri chased the ball, which bounced back onto the field, and then threw it into the stands, so Ohtani didn’t get to keep the ball, according to Ohtani’s interpreter Will Ireton.
Dodgers starter Bobby Miller was in the clubhouse watching on TV when Ohtani made history.
“I kind of called that one,” he said. “I was like, how cool would it be to get that 40-40 on a walk-off grand slam? He’s a really special player.”
Ohtani took a curtain call as the crowd of 45,556 stood and cheered. His teammates Miguel Rojas and Teoscar Hernández soaked him with water on the field.
“It means a tremendous amount for me to be able to do this in front of the home crowd,” Ohtani said.
Ohtani now joins Soriano, Ronald Acuña Jr., Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, and José Canseco in the 40-40 club. Acuña joined this group last season with 41 home runs and 73 stolen bases.
After not making the playoffs during his six years with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani is now competing for a title with the NL West-leading Dodgers.
“The number one goal is to get to the postseason and win the World Series,” he said. “Whatever happens with my record, that’s part of the process.”
In the fourth inning, Ohtani got on base with an infield single against Tyler Alexander and stole second base during Freddie Freeman’s at-bat.
His 12 stolen bases in August, all without being caught, are the most in a month by a Dodger since Rafael Furcal’s 12 steals in September and October 2007.
“I know that he’s taking very good care of his legs to be able to do it and be that dynamic player,” Roberts said. “He’s doing his homework on opposing pitchers and he’s getting great jumps. He’s a much better base stealer. He’s very efficient.”
Roberts mentioned that earlier in the season and in past games against the Angels, Ohtani was hesitant on the bases and didn’t steal as successfully.
“He’s an elite base stealer with a high success rate,” the manager said. “I’m sure there’ll be more dramatics to come.”
New York Yankees star Aaron Judge leads the majors with 49 home runs. He’s expected to win the AL MVP award, while Ohtani is predicted to win the NL MVP.
“I just don’t see anyone any better. Obviously, Judge is in the conversation, but man, I’d take Shohei,” Roberts said.
