Shohei Ohtani Passes Dave Roberts in Dodgers’ Record Book

Shohei Ohtani continues to rewrite the Los Angeles Dodgers record books, adding another to his collection on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. The Dodgers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 11-6 to win the series and Ohtani swiped three bases.

The three stolen bases pushed him past manager Dave Roberts or the most stolen bases in a single season by a Japanese player in franchise history.

The multi-stolen base game began when Ohtani walked in the fourth inning. He stole his 44th base that inning sliding into second base just ahead of the throw.

In the seventh inning, with the Dodgers up 3-1, Ohtani hit a one-out single to right field. Then, with a 1-0 count on Mookie Betts, Ohtani took off for second base and easily beat the throw from D-backs catcher Adrian Del Castillo. This tied Roberts with 45 stolen bases on the season, a number the manager reached in 2002 with the Dodgers.

On the very next pitch, Ohtani made it to third base without a throw when Jordan Montgomery’s curveball bounced in the dirt setting a new record for the organization with No. 46.

With 46 stolen bases and 44 home runs, Ohtani and the Dodgers are set to play a two-game set in Anaheim against the designated hitter’s former team on Tuesday and Wednesday. It will be his first regular-season trip there after playing an exhibition game against the Angels during spring training.

“For me, it’s a special place,” Ohtani said through his interpreter after Monday’s game. “Obviously, I spent pretty much the most time there compared to other stadiums and being able to spend the time playing in front of (Angels) fans.

“I spent a lot of time at Angel Stadium and obviously this year we already played against the team, so I’m just really looking forward to being able to spend some time at a ballpark that I spent most of my career at.”

Ohtani was treated with a warm welcome then, and the same is expected now. However, there might be more emotions mixed in now that the game counts.

“I’m sure it’s going to be somewhat emotional,” said Roberts . “But emotions are relative to the person. I’m sure he’s going to be just fine going back there and helping us win a ballgame. There hasn’t been anything that he’s had to deal with that he hasn’t passed with flying colors.”

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

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