Ohtani stole a base in Miami for a second straight day, getting to 51 stolen bases on the season to go with his 49 home runs.
Shohei Ohtani’s quest for the first 50-50 season in MLB history came closer to fruition on Thursday, as he stole his 50th base of the season.
The milestone steal came in the first inning against the Marlins. Ohtani doubled off the right field wall that was nearly his 49th home run of the season. One out later he stole third base, narrowly avoiding the tag after the throw beat him.
Stolen base No. 50! pic.twitter.com/bnTj7g8gwF
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 19, 2024
It’s just the 13th Dodgers season of 50 stolen bases in the modern era, and the first since Dee Strange-Gordon swiped 64 bases in 2014.
Ohtani’s 50 steals are nearly double his previous career high of 26, set in 2021 with the Angels. He stole third base 10 times during his six seasons in Anaheim, but in his first season with the Dodgers has stolen third base 10 times.
His 10 steals in the first inning match the third inning for his most prolific running frame this season.
Ohtani even added another stolen base in the second inning, taking second base after a single, to give him 51 steals on the season. He has 10 games with multiple stolen bases.
After stealing 23 bases prior to the All-Star break, Ohtani has 28 steals in 56 games since the All-Star break to get him to 51 steals before 50 home runs.
“I do see him being more aggressive in the second half,” manager Dave Roberts told reporters in Miami earlier Thursday, as shown on SportsNet LA. “I think he realized he was on track for a special season, and what could make it more special and unique was adding some more stolen bases.”
Ohtani’s 51 steals surpassed Roberts for the second-most steals in an MLB season by a player born in Japan. Roberts stole 49 bases with the Padres in 2006. The only Japanese player with more stolen bases in an MLB season was Ichiro Suzuki in 2001, with 56 steals.
Nine games still remain in the Dodgers schedule after Thursday to add to his already prolific totals.