If Shohei Ohtani isn’t secretly a superhero who moonlights as a Major League Baseball player, I don’t know what’s going on. This man is putting up numbers that sound like they belong in a video game, not in real life. In fact, if you told me you created a player with Ohtani’s stats in a game of MLB: The Show, I’d accuse you of hacking. But here we are, watching in awe as Ohtani closes in on the holy grail of baseball feats—a 50-50 season. Yes, you read that right: 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. Not even the most fantasy-driven baseball fan would have dared to dream this up.
The Steal Heard ‘Round the League: Ohtani's 49th Bag
Let’s set the scene. It’s a regular ol’ Wednesday at loanDepot Park (I don’t know why stadiums are named after mortgages, but that’s another conversation), and Ohtani decides it’s time to add another page to his ongoing saga of baseball dominance. Facing Marlins left-hander Ryan Weathers, Ohtani does what any elite player with a side hustle in base-stealing would do: He smacks a single and immediately takes off for second base like he's late for an important meeting with history.
As Ohtani slides safely into second, the crowd roars—well, probably. I mean, how could you not cheer for a guy who’s chasing a record that sounds straight out of a fever dream? That stolen base was his 49th of the season, tying him with none other than his manager, Dave Roberts, for second-most stolen bases by a Japanese-born player in a single season. (Sorry, Dave, Ohtani’s probably going to blow past you. But hey, at least you get to coach him!)
But forget the stolen base record for a second. Ohtani is also sitting at 48 home runs. You know what that means, folks—he’s two homers and one stolen base away from becoming the first player in Major League Baseball history to go 50-50. That’s not just "making history"—that’s rewriting the entire baseball mythology.
50-50: Baseball or Marvel Cinematic Universe Plot?
You might be asking yourself, "Is the 50-50 club even a thing?" No. Not yet. It’s the kind of record that sounds so made-up, you’d think it belongs in a Marvel movie alongside characters who can fly or shoot lasers out of their eyes. And yet, Ohtani is on the cusp of making it a reality. It’s like someone gave him the super-soldier serum, except instead of fighting bad guys, he’s just terrorizing pitchers and catchers.
We’re talking about a guy who’s one part Babe Ruth, one part Ricky Henderson, and three parts "How is this even possible?" The sheer athleticism required to knock out 50 homers while also swiping 50 bases is mind-boggling. Most sluggers who can hit 50 dingers have legs that are about as fast as molasses in January. But Ohtani? He’s like if The Flash played baseball and decided to hit bombs while stealing bags for fun.
What Would a 50-50 Club Even Look Like?
Let’s pause and think about what Ohtani’s potential achievement would mean for the future of baseball. Up until now, most "clubs" in baseball have been reasonably attainable (if you’re one of the greatest athletes on the planet, that is). The 40-40 club? Sure, legends like José Canseco, Barry Bonds, and Alex Rodriguez have all made it. But 50-50? That’s like saying you’re not just good at baseball—you’re transcending the sport altogether.
Imagine being a part of the inaugural 50-50 club. I mean, who else is even close to joining Ohtani in this elite, probably one-man club? Do you see Aaron Judge stealing 50 bases? Can Fernando Tatis Jr. hit 50 bombs? What Ohtani is doing is so absurd that future generations of baseball fans will probably wonder if we’re making this up. Like, was Shohei Ohtani an actual person or some mythical figure we invented to scare young pitchers?
Dave Roberts: Equal Parts Proud and Terrified
Let’s take a moment to appreciate Dave Roberts, Ohtani’s manager, who has to watch this historical pursuit unfold from the dugout while simultaneously managing the team’s postseason ambitions. Roberts, who also knows a thing or two about stealing bases (his stolen base in Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS was a season-defining moment), has nothing but admiration for his star player.
"I was hoping for a bad throw, because a good throw gets him," Roberts said, probably trying to mentally process how Ohtani manages to do all this while also DH-ing most of the time. "I hope he breaks [the record] either tomorrow or at home." Ah yes, the classic “break the record at home” wish—the only thing better than setting a record is doing it in front of your home fans while everyone collectively loses their minds.
How Does He Do It?
Ohtani’s blend of speed and power isn’t just rare—it’s practically unprecedented. Usually, when you think of a player who’s about to break 50 home runs, you picture someone built like a tank who’s more likely to break the base than steal it. But Ohtani, with his seemingly endless energy, manages to keep his legs fresh enough to steal bases while also mashing dingers into oblivion.
It’s like watching a pitcher throw a no-hitter while simultaneously juggling flaming swords—something that just shouldn’t happen but somehow does when Ohtani’s involved. "It’s remarkable that he can hit as a DH, but what’s more remarkable is that he keeps his legs loose to be able to steal," said Roberts, probably wondering if Ohtani is from another planet. (To be fair, at this point, I wouldn’t be surprised.)
The Final Push
With just a couple of weeks left in the season, all eyes are on Ohtani as he inches closer to 50-50 history. Will he do it? Honestly, at this point, is there anything he can’t do? If anyone can pull off this ridiculous feat, it’s Shohei Ohtani, the man who’s making a mockery of what we thought was possible in baseball.
So buckle up, baseball fans. We’re in for a wild ride, and whether Ohtani gets to 50-50 tomorrow, next week, or the final day of the season, one thing is clear: we’re witnessing history in real-time. And honestly, I wouldn’t put it past him to make it 60-60 next year, just for fun.