Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani enters the 40-40 club by hitting a the walk-off grand slam

Shohei Ohtani is the sixth athlete in Major League history to hit the coveted 40-40 milestone, hitting an unassisted grand slam that allowed him to score 40 homers. He also helped boost the Dodgers to a 7-3 victory against the Rays.

Aug 24, 2024 04:17 AM

Aug 24, 2024, 12:17 AM ET

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani stepped into the club 40-40 in a grand style on Friday night, launching an unassisted grand slam in the ninth inning’s bottom to hit 40 home runs in the season. He also helped lift the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 7-3 win against Tampa Bay Rays. Tampa Bay Rays.

Ohtani took his 40th base in the game, grabbing at an infield single to start to the fourth inning and later stealing the second base during Freddie Freeman‘s at-bat.

Ohtani was the fastest athlete in the history of Major League Baseball to cross the famous 40-40 mark. He achieved this in his 126th match in the regular season. Alfonso Soriano held the previous record of 40-40 in 147 games with Washington Nationals in 2006. Washington Nationals in the year 2006.

Ohtani has become the sixth Major Leaguer to achieve the milestone, as well as it is the very initial Dodger.

“It’s really more about the winning,” Ohtani stated via the translator. “Obviously the record is part of the process, but I think the most important thing is about winning the game.”

Friday’s homer was the first walk-off homer in Ohtani’s career. It was also his third grand slam.

“It’s just storybook — 40-40 on the same night,” manager Dave Roberts said. “I don’t know if it’s ever happened before and the winner is an incredible slam. He’s certainly known for his dramatics, and this is something that I’ll be remembering for an extended period of time.”

Ohtani’s 389-foot strike broke the three-three tie. Rays center fielder Jose Siri was the one to chase, and the ball bounced back to the field. Then, he threw it into the stands so that Ohtani did not get the memento, as per Ohtani’s interpreter Will Ireton.

Ohtani made his curtain call while the 45,556 fans stood and applauded. Teammates Miguel Rojas and Tesocar Hernandez bathed him in water in the field.

“It means a tremendous amount for me to be able to do this in front of the home crowd,” said the actor.

Ohtani Joins Soriano, Ronald Acuna Jr., Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds and Jose Canseco in the 40-40 group. Acuna became a part of the club last year, when he hit 41 homers while also stealing 73 bases.

Ohtani Is on track to become the first player to score 50 homes and 50 stolen bases in one year in MLB history as per ESPN Stats & Information research. No player has recorded 45 homers and 45 steals during a season.

In the absence of a postseason during those six years as a member of the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani finds himself in an epic pennant race with the league’s top NL West team, the Dodgers.

“The No. 1 goal is to get to the postseason and win the World Series,” the player said. “Whatever the outcome is for my record, that’s part of the process.”

Ohtani’s stolen bases of 12 in August, without being caught, are the most stolen bases in one month by an Dodger ever since Rafael Furcal was 12-for-12 in September and October 2007.

“I know that he’s taking very good care of his legs to be able to do it and be that dynamic player,” Roberts stated. “He’s doing his research on opposing pitchers and he’s making great jumps. He’s a far better base snatcher. He’s very effective.”

Roberts said that in the previous season, and even when the Dodgers were playing against the Angels, Ohtani was tentative on the basepaths, and his stolen base percentage was not high.

“He’s an elite base stealer with a high success rate,” the manager stated. “I’m sure there’ll be more dramatics to come.”

New York Yankees star Aaron Judge leads the majors with 49 homers. He’s favored to take home AL MVP honors with Ohtani expected to win similarly with the NL.

“I just don’t see anyone any better,” Roberts stated. “Obviously Judge is in the conversation, but man, I’d take Shohei.”

Information taken from The Associated Press was used in this report.