Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani becomes first MLB player to achieve 50/50 season

Shohei Ohtani had the best game of his career at the plate on Thursday, and made more history in the process.

The Los Angeles Dodgers slugger hit his 49th, 50th and 51st home runs of the season against the Miami Marlins, making him the first player in MLB history to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. Ohtani also recorded his 50th and 51st stolen bases on Thursday, finishing the game 6-for-6 with 10 RBIs. He also became the first player in MLB history to have three home runs and two stolen bases in one game.

The historic blast came in the seventh inning off Miami's Mike Baumann. It was Ohtani's second homer and fifth hit of the day and broke Shawn Green's Dodgers franchise record for homers in a season. Ohtani's 10 RBIs on Thursday also set a new franchise record.

Ohtani preceded that historic homer with a two-run shot to right field in the sixth inning, and followed it with a 440-foot, three-run homer to right field in the ninth.

Ohtani's 50/50 milestone marks a remarkable first season with the Dodgers, who signed the two-way superstar to a record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract last offseason.

The 30-year-old earned his fourth All-Star nod this summer and is the heavy favorite to win the NL MVP award. His 50 home runs also lead the NL and trail Aaron Judge for the most in baseball. His 51 stolen bases are second-most in the league behind Elly De La Cruz.

With his stellar play at the plate and as a baserunner, Ohtani is currently a heavy favorite to win the third MVP award of his illustrious career. He won the American League MVP award twice, including in 2023, during his six years with the Los Angeles Angels. Unlike his two MVP seasons, Ohtani did not pitch in the 2024 regular season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow in September 2023.

If Ohtani wins the NL MVP award, he will follow in the footsteps of Atlanta Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. Ohtani’s 50/50 season also came after Acuña’s historic 2023 season, where he hit 41 home runs and stole 73 bases. In August, Ohtani joined Acuña as one of six players to achieve a 40/40 season, when he hit a walk-off grand slam against the Tampa Bay Rays for his 40th home run of the year. He became the fastest player to achieve a 40-40 season by 21 games, hitting his 40th home run in the 126th game of the season. From there, the countdown to 50/50 began.

For perspective on Ohtani's 50/50 feat, here are the previous single-season highs for steals among players who hit 50 homers.

T-1. Alex Rodriguez (2007) – 54 HR and 24 steals
T-1. Willie Mays (1955) – 51 HR and 24 steals
3. Brady Anderson (1996) – 50 HR and 21 steals
4. Ken Griffey Jr (1998) – 56 HR and 20 steals
T-5. Sammy Sosa (1998) – 66 HR and 18 steals
T-5. Alex Rodriguez (2001) – 52 HR and 18 steals

Plus, here are the previous single-season home run leaders for players who stole 50 bases.

1. Ronald Acuña (2023) – 73 steals and 41 HR
2. Eric Davis (1987) – 50 steals and 37 HR
3. Barry Bonds (1990) – 52 steals and 33 HR
4. Hanley Ramirez (2007) – 51 steals and 29 HR
T-5. Rickey Henderson (1986) – 87 steals and 28 HR
T-5. Rickey Henderson (1990) – 65 steals and 28 HR

For the first time in Ohtani's MLB career, his campaign won't end when the regular season concludes. The Dodgers clinched a playoff spot with Thursday's win, setting the stage for Ohtani to finally make an appearance in the postseason.

The Dodgers have also opened the door for him to possibly pitch in the postseason. Manager Dave Roberts told reporters in early September that there's a “very small” chance Ohtani will be on the mound, but noted that it's “not zero.”

Ohtani apparently left the door open, too.

“I'm not sure,” Ohtani said. he told reporters with a smirk through an interpreter on Sept. 17..

Regardless of what happens in October, Ohtani has another record next to his name.

(Want great stories delivered straight to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily..)