Ohtani Keeps Showing A Flair For The Dramatic During His Historic 1st Season With The Dodgers

Los Angeles — Shohei Ohtani continues to demonstrate a flare for the dramatic during his historic first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Japanese superstar became the only player in big league history to have 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases, while also setting several records.

On Thursday in Miami, Ohtani had his first three-homer game of his career, all after the sixth inning, as well as his first six-hit game and a franchise and career-high ten RBIs. Nobody in MLB history has done it before.

He concluded the night with 51 home runs and 51 steals.

Ohtani Keeps Showing A Flair For The Dramatic During His Historic 1st Season With The Dodgers

“Going for a home run is not the ideal way for me to hit a home run, so I try to focus on quality at-bats,” Ohtani said through an interpreter.

He also stole two bases and nearly hit for the cycle. Still, he was thrown out at third while attempting to extend his second double into a triple, demonstrating his unusual combination of speed and power.

Ohtani returns to Dodger Stadium on Friday to face the Colorado Rockies. His previous career highs were 46 home runs and 26 stolen bases in 2021 when he earned the first of two American League Most Valuable Player awards with the Los Angeles Angels.

Ohtani appears to be limitless.

On August 23, he hit a ninth-inning grand slam against Tampa Bay in his 126th game, becoming the fastest player to reach 40-40.

He has nine games remaining to see what else he can achieve during the regular season.

With a 20-4 victory over the Marlins, the Dodgers secured their 12th consecutive postseason berth. It’s not new for them, but it is for Ohtani. He has played 865 games without making a postseason appearance, the most of any current player.

Ohtani made it obvious when he signed a $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers last December that contending for a championship motivates him.

“The No. 1 goal is to get to the postseason and win the World Series,” he stated last month.

During his six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, they never made the playoffs or had a winning season.

The Dodgers, who lead the NL West, are trying for their 11th division title in 12 seasons.

Ohtani’s incredible exploits come during a season in which his closest buddy abandoned him, and he is not pitching while recovering from elbow surgery last winter.

He skipped the Home Run Derby during All-Star weekend in July to avoid further injury, but as a designated hitter, he hit a three-run homer in the National League’s loss.

Not pitching has kept Ohtani’s arms and legs fresher and faster, allowing him to concentrate and improve on other aspects of his game. He’s polished his running and stealing skills, understanding how to get strong jumps off opposition pitchers by reviewing videos of their habits.

Ohtani Keeps Showing A Flair For The Dramatic During His Historic 1st Season With The Dodgers

Dodgers fans could be seeing a once-in-a-generation aspect of Ohtani’s game. When he starts pitching every five days next year, his legs may not allow him to steal as many bases.

The Ohtani effect is also noticeable off the pitch.

Fans formed mobs in and around Dodger Stadium during his two bobblehead giveaways. Ohtani’s final promotion is on Saturday when the first 40,000 fans will receive T-shirts depicting his likeness.

Japanese tourists come to the stadium for tours, so the team has added extra Japanese-speaking advisors. The squad has also signed several Japanese sponsors.

“He’s one of one,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

SOURCE | AP