Shohei Ohtani wrote another golden chapter in Major League Baseball history by hitting his 50th home run of the season, achieving what very few have done: two consecutive campaigns with at least 50 homers. With this blast, hit Tuesday night against the Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Ohtani joined legends such as Babe Ruth, Mark McGwire, Ken Griffey Jr., Sammy Sosa, and Alex Rodríguez.
In addition to his power at the plate, Shohei Ohtani shined on the mound: he pitched five no-hit innings, allowed just one walk, and struck out five batters before crushing the home run that sealed his historic feat. Although the Dodgers lost the game 9-6, Ohtani’s two-way performance once again proved why he is one of the most complete players in modern baseball.
What is the importance of this record?
This achievement not only places him among the select group of players to hit 50 homers in back-to-back seasons but also makes him just the third player in MLB history to accomplish it in his first two seasons with a team, following in the footsteps of Babe Ruth and Alex Rodríguez.
Last season, Ohtani hit 54 home runs, and with 50 this year, he confirms his sustained offensive power. Even though the Dodgers’ bullpen struggled late, their Japanese superstar reached a milestone that very few can boast of.