Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a three-run home run against the Miami Marlins during the ninth inning at loanDepot Park. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Shohei Ohtani continues to show why he is baseball's unicorn

By David Hill | Last updated 9/19/24

Shohei Ohtani was not content to create his own club on Thursday — he needed to do so in historic fashion.

Ohtani became the first player in baseball history to hit 50 homers and steal 50 bases in a season. He also created the 51-51 club with his third homer on the night.

Ohtani had already been the fastest player to get to 40-40, doing so with a walk-off grand slam. His performance on Thursday was something that no one has ever done before.

Since RBI became official in 1920, only one MLB player has had, over the course of his entire career (same game or not),

a game with 10+ RBI
a game with 6+ hits
a game with 5+ XBH
a game with 3+ HR
a game with 2+ SB

That one player is Shohei Ohtani. He did all of it today. pic.twitter.com/njXOmwHKnm
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) September 20, 2024

Ohtani also carved his way into the Dodgers record books. In just his first season with the team, he became the first player in Dodgers history to hit 50 homers in a season. And, he is also recovering from elbow surgery while making history.

He is already been baseball's unicorn. Ohtani is a top-of-the-rotation arm and an impact hitter rolled into one. He is the type of player that had not existed since the days of Martin Dihigo and Babe Ruth. His two-way ability captured the imagination since his time with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters when he played in the outfield and worked as a pitcher.

It was fair to wonder what Ohtani could be if he strictly focused on hitting. Brian Kenny from MLB Network questioned whether or not Ohtani should just be a designated hitter. Thinking about what he could be if he focused on one or the other was a fascinating topic for debate. Now we know - he would continue to be a player no one had seen before.

Shohei Ohtani made history by becoming the first 50-50 player in baseball history. He continued to prove that he is baseball's unicorn.

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