Shohei Ohtani has had an incredible first season with the Dodgers, to put it lightly. He has broken multiple franchise records and is the MVP favorite while being a full-time designated hitter.
His magical season, and career, reached a new high when Ohtani joined the coveted 40-40 club Friday night against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Ohtani accomplished both his 40th stolen base and 40th home run on the same night.
He hit his 40th homer in the grandest of fashions, blasting a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Rays to give the Dodgers the win 7-3.
Ohtani becomes the first Dodger and just the sixth player to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a season. Jose Canseco, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Alfonso Soriano and Ronald Acuña Jr. all previously accomplished the feat.
Canseco and Acuña Jr. both won MVPs during their 40-40 seasons.
This is also the second year in a row Ohtani reached the 40-home run mark.
The two-time MVP also has a chance to be the first player to reach the 50-50 club. He is currently on pace to hit 50 home runs and steal 48 bases.
After already being the third-fastest player to 30-30, Ohtani became the fastest player to reach the 40-40 mark in a season, getting it in 126 games.
Soriano was the previous fastest, getting it in his 147th game on Sept. 16, 2006.
Ohtani has always possessed the potential to reach 40-40, but due to him being a two-way player it never came to fruition. Since he is a full-time DH this year, he can put all his focus and skill into his offense.
Ohtani currently leads the National League in home runs, runs scored, slugging percentage and OPS. He is poised to win his third MVP in four years.
