A man with a population of 700 million is etching his name into baseball's history books.
Shohei Ohtani is the world's most expensive baseball player, and he's proving every penny worthy with his stellar performances. His latest achievement caused a frenzy.
This season, Ohtani smashed 50 home runs and stole 50 bases. He became the first player in MLB history to accomplish this feat with a homer in the seventh inning of the Los Angeles Dodgers' 20-4 victory over the Miami Marlins.
After the game, Ohtani, who ended the season with 51 homers and 51 steals, admitted he was surprised by his own achievement: "To be honest, I'm probably the most surprised."
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was equally amazed: "This is a game that's been played for over 200 years. And this is something that's never been done before." Ohtani, who signed a record-breaking $700 million, 10-year deal with the Dodgers before the season, now has 222 career home runs. NBA legend LeBron James called his performance "not real."
Japan goes wild with joy
Ohtani's home country, Japan, went into a frenzy on Friday. He was trending on social media, newspapers printed special editions, and morning news covered his achievement extensively. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi congratulated Ohtani in Tokyo: "We would like to congratulate him from the bottom of our hearts. We sincerely hope that Mr. Ohtani, who has already achieved one feat after another and opened a new era, will continue to succeed."
The win against the Marlins secured the Dodgers a playoff spot, a first for Ohtani, who, despite being named the American League's most valuable player twice while with the Los Angeles Angels, never reached the playoffs.
Sports enthusiasts in Japan celebrated Ohtani's historic achievement, as it brought renewed pride to their nation's baseball scene. Following his remarkable 50-50 season, Ohtani's fame in sports circles around the globe continued to soar.
