Ohtani succeeds in stealing his 53rd base of the season…55-55 is also visible
Shohei Otani (30, Japan) of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who became the first American professional baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) player to hit 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases, added one more stolen base and ran toward 55 home runs and 55 stolen bases.
Ohtani started as the designated hitter in the 2024 MLB home game against the Colorado Rockies held at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, USA on the 21st (local time) and recorded 1 hit in 3 at-bats, 1 walk, 1 run, and 1 stolen base. The season batting average remained at 0.297.
On this day, Ohtani hit a strong ball that traveled 102.4 miles (approximately 164.8 km) in his first at-bat in the first inning, but was thrown out toward the third baseman. He got on base with a walk after two outs in the third inning, and followed up with a two-run shot by Mukibe Tsu, hitting home to score a 2-3 lead. In the 4th inning with 2 outs and a chance on 1st and 3rd base, he retired with a looking strikeout, and after 2 outs in the 6th inning, he walked out with a hit ball.
The stolen base came in the last inning. Ohtani, who appeared as the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the 9th inning, hit a heavy hit and then stole second base. Ohtani, who succeeded in stealing bases in four consecutive games, increased his season stolen bases to 53. However, the Dodgers failed to score on the bases loaded opportunity with two outs and lost 3-6.
On the 19th, against the Miami Marlins, Ohtani hit his 49th and 51st home runs in three consecutive at-bats of the season and recorded two stolen bases to reach an unprecedented 50-50 level. Ohtani, who also added a home run and a stolen base in the game against Colorado on the 20th, added one stolen base on this day to record 52 home runs and 53 stolen bases.
With 55 home runs and 55 stolen bases remaining, there are 3 home runs and 2 stolen bases, respectively. With only 7 games left in the regular season, attention is focused on whether Ohtani can overcome 50-50 and write a new record of 55-55.
Aaron Judge (32, USA) of the New York Yankees hit his 54th home run of the season in a visiting game against the Oakland Athletics on this day. On this day, the Yankees defeated Oakland 10-0 thanks to Judge’s performance. With Judge virtually confirmed to be No. 1 in home runs in the American League and Ohtani ranked No. 1 in home runs in the National League, they are engaged in a battle of pride over ‘No. 1 home runs in the entire MLB.’
Reporter Seo Jae-won jwseo@hankyung.com
