Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese superstar, made baseball history on Friday night by hitting a two-out grand slam in the ninth inning for his 40th homer and stealing his 40th base in the same game. This remarkable feat occurred in the Los Angeles Dodgers' 7-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Ohtani achieved this milestone in his 126th game of the season, making him the quickest player in MLB history to reach 40 homers and 40 stolen bases. He joins an elite group of players, including Ronald Acuña Jr., Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, and Jose Canseco, as only the sixth player ever to accomplish this feat.
Manager Dave Roberts expressed optimism about Ohtani's potential to further solidify his place in baseball history, with just over a month remaining in the regular season and the Dodgers leading the NL West division.
Ohtani's walk-off grand slam not only secured the win for the Dodgers but also marked his third grand slam and his first walk-off homer of his career. The 389-foot shot broke a 3-3 tie and was met with cheers from the crowd of 45,556 in attendance.
Having previously achieved 40 or more homers in the 2021 and 2023 seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani's performance this season has positioned him as a strong contender for the NL MVP award. Despite New York Yankees' Aaron Judge leading the majors with 49 homers, Ohtani's exceptional 40-40 night has garnered significant attention and praise.
Ohtani's focus remains on helping the Dodgers reach the postseason and ultimately win the World Series, a goal that has eluded him during his time with the Angels. With the Dodgers currently holding a four-game lead in the NL West, Ohtani's contributions on the field have been instrumental in their pursuit of postseason success.
Overall, Ohtani's historic 40-40 night has solidified his status as one of baseball's most dynamic and impactful players, with fans and teammates alike celebrating his remarkable achievements on the field.
