Shohei Ohtani's 50-50 referencing his remarkable performance this season as a standout player for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In a game that saw a career-best three home runs and 10 RBIs, the Los Angeles Dodgers standout achieved what no player had before on Thursday, hitting home run number 50 for the season and swiping base number 50 – further increasing his stats to 51 home runs and 51 stolen bases by the contest's end.
Scoring a triple in the top of the seventh against the Miami Marlins kicked off the 50-50 club, with Ohtani, having completed the game with a 6-for-6 batting record, becoming its first member.
“I was eager to tick this off my list as soon as possible,” shared the two-time American League MVP, who had been approaching the historical 50-50 milestone for weeks. “This is something I will cherish for a long time.”
The 20-4 victory over the Marlins also ensured the Dodgers' entry into the playoffs, marking Ohtani's first postseason appearance after missing out in each of his six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels.
This will be another achievement in what has been an eventful few months in the Japanese star's career.
An unforgettable journey to infinity
Ohtani's arrival at the Dodgers was marked by grand ceremony, accompanied by a record-breaking $700 million, 10-year contract – reportedly the most expensive deal in North American sports history. This contract surpassed the MLB's next-largest free agent agreement, the nine-year, $360 million deal signed by Aaron Judge with the New York Yankees in 2023.
Ohtani is deferring over 97% of his contract until after the full 10-year period, keeping his annual salary capped at $2 million for now. This tactic reduces his personal tax liabilities while alleviating the Dodgers' competitive balance tax and cash-flow obligations.
For LA, winners of ten out of the last eleven Ninental League West division titles, securing the signing of one of baseball's rarest and most exceptional talents was a significant milestone, and Ohtani was expected to push the franchise even higher.
Few would have predicted that the 30-year-old would have such a productive first season with the team, even considering his usual high standards. Particularly given the physical challenges he faced.
Ohtani underwent elbow surgery in September 2023 – just a day before he opened the 50-50 club – and was advised not to pitch until 2025. This significantly impacted the dual-sport star's potential performance.
However, despite being sidelined from pitching, Ohtani has had an extraordinary debut season with the Dodgers. He has blasted a franchise-record 51 home runs – surpassing Shawn Green's record on Thursday – with a .294 batting average, leading the Dodgers to a 91-62 record and the top spot in the NL West with nine games remaining in the regular season.
Prior to Ohtani, the players closest to achieving a 50-50 season were Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. in 2023, who stole 73 bases and hit 41 home runs, and Alex Rodriguez, who hit 42 home runs and stole 46 bases with the Seattle Mariners in 1998.
Ohtani also became the fastest MLB player to reach the 40-40 milestone in July, doing so in the Dodgers' 129th game of the season. He is now the frontrunner to win the NL MVP award, potentially making history as the first to do so exclusively as a designated hitter (DH). Despite not pitching this season, Ohtani continues to be favored for this award, and there are rumors that he might pitch in the postseason.
“This game has a rich history,” Dodgers general manager Dave Roberts said after Ohtani reached the 50-50 milestone, “and to do something that’s never been done – he’s one of a kind. He's an incredibly talented player and remains humble.”
Japanese tourists have been flooding Los Angeles for a chance to watch their country's renowned star, and on Friday, government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi offered his congratulations.
“We are incredibly proud of Mr. Ohtani's achievements and his role in redefining baseball," Hayashi told a press conference.
To cater to the growing interest from Asia, the Dodgers also conduct Japanese language stadium tours, serve a variety of Japanese cuisine, and have attracted numerous Japanese sponsors.
A betrayal off the pitch
Amidst Ohtani's record-breaking season on the field, off-the-field challenges have emerged.
In June, his longtime friend and interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, pleaded guilty in court to committing fraud and tax evasion by stealing approximately $17 million from Ohtani's account to pay off gambling debts. The revelation came just hours after Ohtani's first appearance for the Dodgers in the opening game of the MLB season in South Korea.
There were whispers for weeks after it came out that Mizuhara had a gambling issue, and people began wondering how much Ohtani was aware of the situation.
Both sports star Ohtani and Mizuhara, who is set to be sentenced on October 25, maintained that Ohtani wasn't in the loop about Mizuhara's gambling addiction and dishonest activities. When Mizuhara admitted guilt to the charges, Ohtani said he felt a sense of relief.
"This has been a pretty tough time for me, so I'm extra thankful for my support group - my family, agent, agency, lawyers, and advisors, as well as the entire Dodger organization, who've been unwavering in their support during this ordeal," Ohtani explained in a statement. "It's time to wrap up this chapter and move on, focusing on playing and winning games."
It seems like ages ago that this incident happened, given how wild Ohtani's first season with the Dodgers has been. With his mind-blowing performances at the plate, like the record-breaking feat he achieved on Thursday, attention has once again shifted back to his remarkable skills on the field.
As the Dodgers secure their 12th consecutive playoff spot, their aspirations for the World Series are stronger than ever. Ohtani is leading the charge, and fans worldwide will be eager to see what more history he can make.
Credit for reporting goes to CNN's Issy Ronald, Homero De la Fuente, and Natasha Chen.
Shawn Green's record for the most home runs in a season for the Los Angeles Dodgers was broken by Ohtani's impressive 51 home runs. Despite his elbow surgery and being advised not to pitch until 2025, Ohtani's exceptional performance in the sport has significantly contributed to the Dodgers' success.
