It was never a matter of if, but when.
The when came during the NL West first-place Los Angeles Dodgers’ 4-0 win over the AL Central first-place Cleveland Guardians in front of a (mostly happy) Dodger Stadium crowd of 44,207, when 30-year-old international superstar Shohei Ohtani slugged his 46th home run of the season; this after having stolen his 46th base against the Arizona Diamondbacks on September 2 at Chase Field. In doing so, Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to hit 46 home runs and steal 46 bases in the same season.
“It’s something I will look back on at the end of the season. What’s more important is winning the game, winning the series, and glad we were able to do both today,” Ohtani answered through an interpreter, when asked about his historic accomplishments. “I’m trying to be less cognizant of it, more focusing on having good feel at the plate and whenever possible during the game, whether that be stealing a base or just being able to move to the next base, that’s what I’m trying to do and focus on,” he added.
Considered by many to be the Babe Ruth of our generation, the extremely popular Oshu, Japan native finished his day going 2-for-4, having also singled to center in the bottom of the third inning for his 121st hit of the season, a new career high. Unfortunately, he was subsequently picked off by Guardians starter Tanner Bibee to end the frame.
As for Ohtani’s fifth-inning solo home run (off Bibee – paybacks), it traveled 450 feet and landed in the Loge Level just inside the right field foul pole. According to Dodgers broadcaster Tim Neverett, it was the ninth longest home run hit at Dodger Stadium this season, with Ohtani having hit eight of them.
“You just don’t see guys hitting the ball that far, as hard as he hits it, and he’s just locked in,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said postgame of Ohtani’s monster blast. “And so, you know, 50-50, the chase is on, and I just really hope he does it at home,” added the Dodgers skipper.
We do too, Dave.
Play Ball!
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