Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is the first Major League Baseball player to hit 50 home runs and steal more than 50 bases in a season

MIAMI, Florida – Shohei Ohtani accomplished something on Thursday that no other Major League Baseball player has ever accomplished: He hit more than 50 home runs and stole more than 50 bases in a single season.

The Dodgers' $700 million superstar became the only member of MLB's 50/50 club when he hit both marks against the Marlins in Florida.

And to top it all off, he stole another base and hit his third home run of the game, putting him at 51/51 so far this season.

Ohtani hit his 50th home run in the seventh inning, a two-run shot to the left outfield against Marlins relief pitcher Mike Baumann. He hit his 49th one inning earlier, hitting a 1-1 slider by George Soriano 438 feet to the second deck in right-center.

He took care of the stolen bases early in the game, stealing his 50th in the first inning and his 51st in the second inning.

The Japanese star opened the game with a double against Edward Cabrera and secured third base with a double steal against Freddie Freeman, who got to third base on a walk.

Ohtani has been successful in his last 28 attempts to steal a base.

He reached this milestone in his 150th game. Ohtani became the sixth player in Major League history and the fastest ever to reach 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season, and he did it in just 126 games.

Ohtani's previous career high in home runs was 46 for the Los Angeles Angels in 2021, when he also started 23 times on the mound and won his first of two AL MVP awards.

Manager Dave Roberts said before Thursday's game that he noticed Ohtani becoming more aggressive on the bases in the second half of the season.

“I also think Shohei has realized how good he has become or can become as a base stealer,” Roberts said. “I think he likes the challenge of studying pitchers and learning their tendencies. I think that's something that fascinates him.”

Ohtani's previous career high for steals was 26, also in 2021. He hasn't pitched this season due to his recovery from elbow surgery, allowing him to focus on hitting and baserunning as the Dodgers' designated hitter.