Los Angeles Dodgers Star Shohei Ohtani Now Chasing Seattle Mariners Legend in History
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani hit a walk-off grand slam on Friday night to help the Dodgers beat the Tampa Bay Rays at Dodger Stadium. By getting a home run and a stolen base in the same game, Ohtani now has 40 homers and 40 steals. This was the fastest in major league history that any player has ever joined the prestigious club.
There has never been a player to go 50/50 in a season, and Ohtani will certainly have a good chance over the last six weeks.
But before he can worry about that, he'll have his sights set on besting the historic 1998 season put together by Seattle Mariners legend Alex Rodriguez.
Per Sarah Langs of MLB.com:
Shohei Ohtani is on pace for 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases
No player has ever had that combination in a season
highest total a player has reached in BOTH HR & SB in a season is 42: 1998 Alex Rodriguez 42 HR & 46 SB
Shohei Ohtani is on pace for 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 24, 2024
No player has ever had that combination in a season
highest total a player has reached in BOTH HR & SB in a season is 42: 1998 Alex Rodriguez 42 HR & 46 SB https://t.co/IeWTW54QNZ
That 1998 season was magical for Rodriguez, who also hit .310 that year with 124 RBI. Despite those amazing numbers, he finished just ninth in the American League MVP voting, which is shocking in its own right. He paired with Ken Griffey Jr. and Edgar Martinez to make up one of the best offensive units in team history.
All in all, Rodriguez was a 22-year veteran who spent seven seasons in Seattle. He was a three-time MVP and a 14-time All-Star. He won a batting title with the Mariners in 1996 when he hit .358.
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