Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run home run, his 50th of the season, during the seventh inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Thursday in Miami. Ohtani is the first MLB player to have at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates after hitting his 50th home run of the season during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani waves to fans after he hit a home run scoring Andy Pages, during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts to an inside pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a double during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a double to right field during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani runs after hitting a double to right field during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani gestures after hitting a double to right field during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani steals third base ahead of Connor Norby #24 of the Miami Marlins to register his 50th stolen base of the season against the Miami Marlins during the first inning of the game at loanDepot park on September 19, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Chris Arjoon/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani steals third base ahead of Connor Norby #24 of the Miami Marlins to register his 50th stolen base of the season against the Miami Marlins during the first inning of the game at loanDepot park on September 19, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 19: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after stealing his 50th stolen base of the season during the first inning of the game against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on September 19, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani gestures after stealing third base during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. This was Ohtani’s 50th stolen base this season. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani slides into home plate to score during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates after scoring and stealing a base during the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. Ohtani stole his 50th base this season. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a single to right field during the second inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani steals second base against the Miami Marlins during the second inning of the game at loanDepot park on September 19, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Miami Marlins’ Jake Burger (36) celebrates a home run with Jonah Bride during the second inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith is hit by a pitch during the third inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith is hit by a pitch during the third inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a double to center field during the third inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty throws a pitch during the third inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani looks up after hitting a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani gestures after hitting a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough, left, congratulates Shohei Ohtani after Ohtani hit a home run scoring Andy Pages, during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani gestures after hitting a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández, left, and Manager Dave Roberts, center, congratulate Shohei Ohtani after Ohtani hit a home run scoring Andy Pages during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates after hitting a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates after hitting a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
The Miami Marlins’ Griffin Conine hits a two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run home run, his 50th of the season, during the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on September 19, 2024 in Miami, Florida. Ohtani is now the first MLB player to have at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a home run scoring Andy Pages, during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits his 50th home run of the season during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a home run against the Miami Marlins during the seventh inning of the game at loanDepot park on September 19, 2024 in Miami, Florida. Ohtani is now the first MLB player to have at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season. (Photo by Chris Arjoon/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run home run, his 50th of the season, during the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on September 19, 2024 in Miami, Florida. Ohtani is now the first MLB player to have at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after hitting his 50th home run of the season during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates after hitting his 50th home run of the season during the seventh inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Thursday in Miami. Ohtani hit three homers and stole two bases in the game, giving him the first 50-50 season in MLB history. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after hitting his 50th home run of the season during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run, his 50th of the season, during the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on September 19, 2024 in Miami, Florida. Ohtani is now the first MLB player to have at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, center, is congratulated by teammates after he hit a home run scoring Andy Pages, during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates with teammate Teoscar Hernandez, far right, and others after hitting a two-run home run, his 50th of the season, during the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on September 19, 2024 in Miami, Florida. Ohtani is now the first MLB player to have at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates after hitting his 50th home run of the season during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani waves to fans after he hit a home run scoring Andy Pages, during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a home run, scoring Max Muncy and Chris Taylor, during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits his 51st home run of the season during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani watches the ball as he hits a home run, scoring Max Muncy and Chris Taylor, during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, right, celebrates his 51st home run of the season with Chris Taylor (3) Max Muncy (13) during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates his 51st home run of the season during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani smiles at teammates as he does a postgame interview after a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, right, congratulates teammates after a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, right, is congratulated by a coach at the end of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani (17) walks with photographers to a postgame interview after a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
The helmet of Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) sits in the dugout before the start of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
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Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run home run, his 50th of the season, during the seventh inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Thursday in Miami. Ohtani is the first MLB player to have at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
It wasn’t enough for Shohei Ohtani to become baseball’s first 50-50 man. He upped the ante to 51-51 and arrived at the unprecedented heights with the biggest game of his career, one of the best offensive games by any hitter in baseball history.
Ohtani had a career-high six hits on Thursday – including two doubles and home runs in each of his final three at-bats – with 10 RBIs and two stolen bases as the Dodgers pounded the Miami Marlins, 20-4. The win clinched a postseason berth for the Dodgers for the 12th consecutive season.
Only the sixth player in baseball history to have 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in the same season – and the fastest to get there – Ohtani is the first player to then go on to reach 50 in each category.
More importantly to Ohtani, the win will take his name off another list. He has currently played more games (865) without making a postseason appearance than any other active player.
“He’s one of one,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Ohtani.
“We all know we witnessed history,” Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas said.
“That has to be the greatest baseball game of all time. It has to be,” Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux said. “There’s no way. It’s ridiculous. I’ve never seen anybody do that even in little league, so it’s crazy that he’s doing that at the highest level.”
Ohtani has certainly shown a flair for the dramatic during this historic season. He reached the 40-40 milestone with a walk-off grand slam against the Tampa Bay Rays on Aug. 23. He reached the 50-50 mark – and passed it – with the first three-homer game of his career, the first six-hit game of his career and a Dodgers’ franchise record 10 RBIs (also a career high for the two-time MVP).
Ohtani is the first player in MLB history to have a six-hit, three-homer, 10-RBI game – not to mention the two steals.
“Take the season out of it – today was probably the single best offensive game I’ve ever seen,” Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy said. “What did he have – six hits, 10 RBIs, three home runs? And don’t forget he had two or three stolen bases today also – yeah, why not?
“That’s insane.”
It’s impossible to “take the season out of it.” It has been historic.
“Just happy, relieved and very respectful to the peers and everybody that came before that played this sport of baseball,” Ohtani said through his interpreter.
“If I’m being honest, it was something I wanted to get over as soon as possible because the balls were being exchanged (for specially marked baseballs) every time I was up to bat, so it was something that I wanted to get over with.”
“I’ve had perhaps the most memorable moments here in my career,” Ohtani joked. “And this stadium has become one of my favorite stadiums.”
After the game, the Dodgers (91-62) celebrated clinching a postseason berth with a team champagne toast. Roberts, whose team is four games ahead of the San Diego Padres (87-66) in the NL West and two games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers (88-65) for a top-two seed and a first-round bye in the NL playoffs, spoke to the team and so did Ohtani.
“He was just really grateful to his teammates for their support,” Roberts said. “That’s about it. A man of few words.”
The two stolen bases came quickly Thursday, one each in the first two innings, giving Ohtani 51 for the season (the 13th season of 50 or more stolen bases in Dodgers history). He doubled in his first at-bat and stole third base, just beating the throw to get No. 50. He scored on a sacrifice fly by Will Smith.
He came up with two on and two out in the second inning and drove in a run with a single – then stole second base for his 51st steal of the season.
The Dodgers scored five times in the third inning against Marlins starter Edward Cabrera who hit a batter and walked three batters in a row, forcing two of the runs home. Ohtani came up with two on and two out again and laced a line drive into the left-center field gap to drive in two runs. He was thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple.
“He almost got the cycle in four at-bats,” Rojas said in amazement. “If the cutoff man throws the ball away a little bit, he’s got a cycle in four at-bats. And then he got three homers, six hits, it’s pretty unbelievable.”
The Dodgers have scored four runs or more in an inning in each of the past five games – and they did it three times Thursday.
Ohtani’s next at-bat came in the sixth inning with one on and one out. He destroyed an 0-and-1 slider from Marlins reliever George Soriano, hitting it 111.2 mph on a line into the second deck in right field, an estimated 438 feet away.
Outfielder Mookie Betts was asked if he was afraid to say anything to Ohtani about getting to 50 after hitting his 49th home run.
“No,” Betts said. “I don’t think you can jinx greatness like that.”
According to statistician Sarah Langs, that made Ohtani just the second player since 1920 with three extra-base hits, five RBIs and multiple stolen bases in a single game.
And he wasn’t done.
Four consecutive Dodgers reached base with one out in the seventh inning. Two scored on a double by Andy Pages. The runners held at second and third when Chris Taylor grounded out, leaving first base open when Ohtani came up.
Trailing 11-3 at the time, Marlins manager Skip Schumaker let reliever Mike Baumann pitch to Ohtani rather than intentionally walking him. On the broadcast, Schumaker could be seen saying to someone in the Marlins’ dugout, “(Expletive) that. I’ve got too much respect for this guy for that (an intentional walk) to happen.”
“A lot of us actually looked into the opposing dugout and I think a lot of the coaches were telling Skip, ‘Hey, we should walk him here,’” Muncy said. “I have no idea what was actually said over there but that’s how it looked. You could kind of tell Skip was, ‘I can’t do that.’ So tip of the cap to Skip right there for letting him hit.
“We all saw it coming I think. He was just in that zone.”
Ohtani swung at the first two pitches, fouling them off then took a ball high for a 1-and-2 count. Baumann offered up a knuckle curve and Ohtani took it the opposite way, sending it over the wall in left field for his historic 50th home run.
The sparse crowd – announced as 15,548 and featuring a high percentage of Dodger fans – gave Ohtani a standing ovation. He stepped out of the dugout and waved to the crowd in acknowledgement.
“I think that’s a bad move – baseball-wise, karma-wise, baseball gods-wise. You go after him and see if you can get him out,” Schumaker said afterward when asked about walking Ohtani. “I think out of respect for the game we were going to go after him. He hit the home run. That’s just part of the deal. He’s hit 50 of them.
“It was a good day for baseball. But a bad day for the Marlins.”
Down 14-3 when the ninth inning started, the Marlins sent out infielder Vidal Brujan to pitch. He hit the first batter he faced. Two batters later, he gave up a two-out single to Taylor, turning the Dodgers’ lineup over and bringing Ohtani to the plate again.
He watched two of Brujan’s fastballs float past then turned on a 68.3 mph offering, sending it 440 feet into the upper deck in right field for his 51st home run of the season.
“I don’t even know if it was like a relief thing,” Betts said of Ohtani’s mood after reaching 50-50. “I think he was just feeling good, feeling sexy and just knew, like, ‘I’m about to do this today.’ I mean, he could’ve had four homers today. I’m at a loss for words.”
After having one of the greatest games in MLB history, @Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani joins #MLBTonight to discuss becoming the first-ever member of the 50/50 club. pic.twitter.com/9ZtVTddJ80
"This is what we play for. To get the opportunity to play for that trophy… This is the first step.. The talent in this room is the floor, the character and the fight are the ceiling for all of us." pic.twitter.com/dUB42PnMtS
