Shohei Ohtani

Havana, Aug 24 (RHC) - Japan's Shohei Ohtani became the sixth player in the history of Major League Baseball (MLB) with 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season and the fastest to do so.

The feat was completed on Friday when Ohtani (Los Angeles Dogers) hit a grand slam in the ninth inning to put Tampa Bay down 7-3.

Ohtani also became the first Japanese and the first Dogers to reach such numbers, hitting them in game 129 to break the record of Dominican Alfonso Soriano, who had joined the 40-40 club in game 148 for the Washington Nationals in 2006.

“This is for the history books, 40-40 in the same night,” Dogers manager Dave Roberts said. “I don't know if this has ever been accomplished before and also with a grand slam that means victory. He definitely likes the drama and this is something I will remember for a long time,” added the Los Angeles helmsman.

The other players who have hit 40 HR and stolen 40 bases in the same season are Ronald Acuña Jr. in 2023, Soriano in 2006, Alex Rodríguez in 1998, Barry Bonds in 1996 and José Canseco in 1988.

According to projections, Ohtani could finish the season with 51 homers and 51 stolen bases; therefore, if he keeps that up, he could make history and inaugurate the 50-50 club and would be the first in MLB history to reach those records.