54th Home Run Hits in Top of 6th Inning
First in 112 Years to Secure 'Home Run Leader & 50+ Stolen Bases'
LA Dodgers Achieve 96th Win of the Season
'Superstar' Shohei Ohtani (30, Los Angeles Dodgers) surpassed his 'idol' Ichiro Suzuki (50) to set a new MLB single-season stolen base record for Asian players. He also hit his 54th home run of the season.
On the 28th (Korean time), Ohtani started as the No. 1 designated hitter in the visiting game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado, and had a stellar performance with 4 hits, 4 RBIs, 2 runs, and 1 stolen base in 5 at-bats.
In the 2nd inning, with one out and runners on first and second, Ohtani hit an RBI single to right field. Then, with one out and runners on first and third, he and third base runner Chris Taylor executed a double steal. This was Ohtani's 57th stolen base of the season. He surpassed Ichiro's 56 stolen bases set in 2001 with the Seattle Mariners, establishing the MLB single-season stolen base record for Asian players.
In the 6th inning, he also launched a powerful home run. With no outs and runners on second and third in the top of the 6th, Ohtani lifted Anthony Molina's 139 km/h changeup for a massive 3-run homer that traveled 133 meters at 166 km/h. This was Ohtani's first home run in five days since the game against Colorado on the 23rd, marking his 54th home run of the season. Having already become the first MLB player to achieve 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases, Ohtani is now just one home run away from 55 home runs and 55 stolen bases.
Another remarkable record is also in sight. MLB.com's "record expert" reporter Sarah Langs wrote on her social media account, "The last player in MLB history to lead the league in home runs while recording over 50 stolen bases was Tris Speaker in 1912 (10 home runs - 52 stolen bases)."
Having virtually secured the National League home run title, Ohtani has recorded 57 stolen bases, making him the subject of a historic achievement not seen in 112 years by the end of this season. Ohtani currently leads the National League in home runs (54), RBIs (130), and OPS (1.041), and ranks second in batting average (0.309) and stolen bases (57).
The Dodgers, who secured first place in the National League West division the previous day, defeated Colorado 11-4, earning their 96th win (64 losses) of the season.
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