Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has been a machine this season. If he continues his pace, he could do something that has never been accomplished in Major League Baseball history.
Already, Ohtani has proven to be an incredible acquisition for Los Angeles. Despite being injured and operating as a designated hitter, Ohtani is still a favorite for National League MVP, something that has never been done before.
However, this isn't the only MLB first that Shotime could reach in 2024.
Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts told Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic that reaching 40 home runs and 40 steals has been "on his radar from spring training."
This would put Ohtani in the company of five other MLB greats: José Conseco (1988), Barry Bonds (1996), Alex Rodriguez (1998), Alfonso Soriano (2006), and Ronald Acuña Jr. (2023). But if Ohtani continues at the pace he's going, he could go even farther.
Right now, the four-time All-Star has 37 home runs and 35 stolen bases. With 37 games left in the regular season, it's predicted that he could reach 45 home runs and 45 stolen bases, something no one has done in the history of MLB.
While this achievement is unprecedented, Dodgers coach Clayton McCullough wouldn't be surprised if it happens.
“With (Ohtani), I don’t know if you can be surprised,” McCullough said. “Like anything else he does, he puts his mind on something, he’s in and picks up things during the game. We’re watching video before and he’s helped me a ton. We’re breaking things down and I’ll get fixated on something and then he’s like, look at this or that.
“I think he’s always been a student of these things. I think now with having less on his plate from a preparation standpoint and the pitching, more focus can be put on it.”
“He’s trying to dominate on every margin,” Roberts said. “That’s what makes him great.”
There's truly no one like Ohtani. And if fans are lucky, they'll see an MLB first by the end of the regular season.
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