Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani enters the 40-40 club by hitting a the walk-off grand slam
Shohei Ohtani is the only player from Major League history to hit the coveted 40-40 mark. He hit an off-the-field grand slam in the walk-off to hit 40 homers and lead 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 made it to this 40-40 team in spectacular style on Friday night, hitting the walk-off grand slam of the the ninth inning. He surpassed 40 home runs in the season. The feat helped propel 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 second in Freddie Freeman‘s at-bat.
Ohtani has the record for fastest players in the history of major league baseball to hit the coveted 40-40 mark. He achieved this during his 126th season-long game. Alfonso Soriano held the previous record, scoring 40-40 in 147 games played for Washington Nationals in 2006. Washington Nationals in the year 2006.
Ohtani was the 6th major leaguer to achieve this milestone, as well as the first Dodger.
“It’s really more about the winning,” Ohtani declared via an interpreter. “Obviously the record is part of the process, but I think the most important thing is about winning the game.”
Friday’s shot was the first walk-off homer in Ohtani’s career, and also his third grand slam.
“It’s just storybook — 40-40 on the same night,” manager Dave Roberts said. “I don’t know if that’s ever been done and then he wins it with a grand slam. He’s definitely known for the dramatics, and this was something I’ll remember for a long time.”
The shot from 389 feet broke an 3-3 tie. The Rays’ center fielder Jose Siri was the one to chase, and the ball bounced off the field. Then he tossed the ball into the stands to ensure that Ohtani did not end up with a memento as per Ohtani’s interpreter Will Ireton.
Ohtani made a curtain call while the 45,556 fans stood and clapped. The teammates Miguel Rojas and Tesocar Hernandez bathed him in rainwater on the pitch.
“It means a tremendous amount for me to be able to do this in front of the home crowd,” he added.
Ohtani is joined by Soriano, Ronald Acuna Jr., Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds and Jose Canseco in the 40-40 group. Acuna was a member of the 40-40 club in the last season, as he hit 41 homers while also stealing 73 bases.
Ohtani is poised to become the first player to score 50 homes and 50 stolen bases during a single period of time in MLB history as per ESPN Stats & Information research. There is no player who has recorded 45 steals and 45 homers in the same season.
In the end, he was never in the playoffs during those six years as a member of the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani finds himself in a pennant race against the league’s top NL West team, the Dodgers.
“The No. number one goal is to make it into the playoffs and be the winner of the World Series,” he declared. “Whatever it’s outcome to my record, that’s an element of the process.”
Ohtani’s 12 bases stolen in August, without being caught, are the most stolen bases in an entire month of 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 homework on opposing pitchers and he’s getting great jumps. He’s a much better base stealer. He’s very efficient.”
Roberts pointed out that in the previous season, and even when the Dodgers were playing with the Angels, Ohtani was tentative in his baserunning and his stolen base percentage was not excessive.
“He’s an elite base stealer with a high success rate,” manager told. “I’m sure there’ll be more dramatics to come.”
New York Yankees star Aaron Judge leads the majors with 49 homers. He’s expected to win AL MVP honors with Ohtani being predicted to do similar for the NL.
“I just don’t see anyone any better,” Roberts declared. “Obviously Judge is in the conversation, but man, I’d take Shohei.”
Information obtained from The Associated Press was used in this report.