Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Ohtani Shōhei made history on August 23 as the first Japanese player and only the sixth major league player ever to record 40 stolen bases and 40 home runs in a season. We look back at some of the highlights of his career since entering Major League Baseball.
Important events in Ohtani Shōhei’s MLB career
23 August 2024
He earns entry into Major League Baseball’s elite 40/40 club by becoming the first Japanese player and only the sixth major league player to hit 40 stolen bases and 40 home runs in a season. He reaches the mark in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays by collecting his 40th stolen base in the fourth inning and then hitting a dramatic walk-off grand slam for his 40th home run. Ohtani accomplished the feat in record time – just 126 games – and has a chance to become the first major league player to hit 50 stolen bases and 50 home runs in a single season.
Ohani Shōhei hits a walk-off grand slam on August 23, 2024, joining the MLB’s 40/40 club. (© USA Today Sports via Reuters Connect)
MLB 40/40 Club
Ohtani presents his custom-made soccer shoes with his dog Dekopin on August 16, 2024. (© USA Today Sports via Reuters Connect)
3 August 2024
He joins the 30/30 club for the first time with his thirtieth stolen base of the season in a game against the Oakland Athletics. He had hit 33 home runs before the game and stole three bases to end the night with 31 for the season, surpassing the historic mark.
Ohtani will move to third base on August 3, 2024, joining the 30/30 club. (© USA Today Sports via Reuters Connect)
In an interview on July 16, 2024, Ohtani shows off a jacket whose lining is decorated with pictures of his dog Dekopin. (© Jiji)
December 2023
Signs a record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract that takes him to another part of town and swaps him from the red of the Los Angeles Angels for the blue of the Dodgers.
Ohtani presents his new jersey after joining the Dodgers. (© USA Today Sports via Reuters Connect)
16 November 2023
Is unanimously named American League MVP for the second time.
9 November 2023
Announces on Instagram that he will donate youth gloves to every elementary school in Japan – a charity campaign totaling around 60,000 gloves that will benefit students at around 20,000 schools.
A post on New Balance’s website and official Instagram account announcing Ohtani Shōhei’s donation of baseball gloves to Japanese elementary schools. (Courtesy of New Balance Japan)
October 1, 2023
Finishes the season with 44 four-hit hits and wins the American League home run title.
September 2023
He undergoes a second operation on his right elbow, ending his season.
9 August 2023
Earns his tenth win on the mound, becoming the first MLB player to pitch in double figures and win home runs two seasons in a row.
Ohtani is a pitcher for the Angels and is on his way to his second consecutive year with 10 or more wins and home runs. (© Jiji)
March 21, 2023
Leads Japan to victory over the USA in the final of the World Baseball Classic and is named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player for his pitching and batting.
Ohtani (centre) celebrates the WBC title of Samurai Japan with his teammates. (© USA Today Sports via Reuters Connect)
9 August 2022
Earns his tenth win on the mound, becoming the first two-way player since Babe Ruth in 1918 to reach double digits in pitching wins and home runs in a season.
Ohtani throws a pitch, becoming the first two-way player in 104 years to have a season with double-digit wins and home runs. (© Jiji)
19 November 2021
He was unanimously named MVP of the American League, becoming the second Japanese player to win the award after Suzuki Ichirō in 2001.
A special edition of a Tokyo newspaper announcing Ohtani’s AL MVP award. (© Reuters)
26 October 2021
He received the MLB Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award for his season as a two-way player. The award was established in 1998 and is given in recognition of an achievement of historical significance. Winners include Suzuki Ichirō.
13 July 2021
Makes his MLB All-Star Game debut as starting pitcher and designated hitter.
12 November 2018
Becomes the first two-way player since Babe Ruth to be named American League Rookie of the Year, finishing the season with 22 home runs, 61 RBIs and a .285 batting average in 104 games while going 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA in 10 appearances on the mound.
October 2018
Undergoes Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
1 April 2018
Makes his MLB debut on the mound as a two-way player.
Ohtani throws in his first MLB appearance on April 1, 2018. (© USA Today Sports via Reuters Connect)
December 2017
Moves from the Hokkaidō Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball to the Los Angeles Angels.
Ohtani presents his new jersey with the number 17 at a press conference where he announces his move to the Los Angeles Angels. (© USA Today Sports via Reuters Connect)
(Originally published in Japanese. Banner photo: A teammate pours ice water on Ohtani after he reached 40 stolen bases and 40 home runs this season. © USA Today Sports via Reuters Connect.)
