The Best of All Time? Ohtani Breaks Another Record
Japanese sports star Shohei Ohtani has become the first player in the history of Major League Baseball (MLB) to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in one season.
Ohtani reached both milestones on September 19 as his Los Angeles Dodgers team beat the Miami Marlins 20-4.
Some players and fans are already saying that the 30-year-old could be the best baseball player of all time.
In getting to "50-50," Ohtani has done something that none of the MLB's legends could manage. Not Joe DiMaggio or Barry Bonds, not Ty Cobb or even the great Babe Ruth, who was one of the sport's first stars.
In fact, Brandon Nimmo, who plays in the MLB for the New York Mets, called Ohtani "the modern-day Babe Ruth."
Ohtani got to 50-50 in his 150th game, hitting three homers to reach 51 for the season. He became the first player in the history of the MLB to score three homers and steal two bases in the same game.
He had already become the sixth player in major league history and the fastest ever to reach 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases, needing just 126 games.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Ohtani loves breaking records. "He's very goal-oriented," Roberts said.
Ohtani signed a $700 million, 10-year deal with the Dodgers last December.
During his time with the Los Angeles Angels he was also a pitcher, but he hasn't pitched this season as he rehabilitates after elbow surgery.
This has allowed Ohtani to focus on his hitting.
The next goal for Ohtani and the Dodgers is the MLB postseason that begins in October. This is when the top teams take part in the playoffs, competing for the final prize — the World Series title.
It will be the Japanese superstar's first time in the playoffs — he never reached the postseason during his six years with the Angels.
