Shohei Ohtani could be on track to make history

Shohei Ohtani has been nothing short of remarkable this season, hasn’t he? It feels like every time he steps onto the field, we’re witnessing history in the making. The Los Angeles Dodgers knew they were getting something special when they brought Ohtani on board, but this season, even with a few bumps along the way, he’s proving to be beyond special. He’s not just living up to the hype; he’s redefining it. And believe it or not, he’s on the verge of doing something no one’s ever done before in Major League Baseball.

Now, most players would be happy to just be in the MVP conversation, especially if they were doing it while dealing with an injury. But not Ohtani. Even as a designated hitter, with his pitching on pause, he’s the frontrunner for the National League MVP. He might just become the first player in MLB history to win the MVP while sitting out a chunk of the season due to injury. Just think about that for a moment. It’s like watching a movie where the hero keeps getting knocked down but somehow finds a way to keep winning.

But here’s the thing: MVP is just one of the extraordinary feats within his grasp this year. Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts mentioned something interesting to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Roberts said that Ohtani had his eye on a rare milestone from the very beginning of the season: the elusive 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a single year. “It’s been on his radar from spring training,” Roberts said. That’s not a goal you hear every day, but then again, Ohtani isn’t your everyday player.

If Ohtani pulls it off, he’ll join an elite group of just five players who’ve managed that feat: José Canseco, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Alfonso Soriano, and most recently, Ronald Acuña Jr. in 2023. But here’s where things get really interesting. Ohtani isn’t just on pace to hit 40-40; he could actually blow right past it.

As of today, Ohtani has belted 37 home runs and swiped 35 bases, with 37 games still left to play. The math isn’t hard to do—if he keeps swinging and running the way he has, we could be looking at 45 home runs and 45 stolen bases. Yeah, you read that right. A 45-45 season. It’s the kind of thing you might dream about in your backyard as a kid but has never actually happened in the big leagues. Well, with Ohtani, those dreams are becoming reality.

Dodgers coach Clayton McCullough has had the pleasure of watching Ohtani up close, and he’s not surprised by what’s happening. “With (Ohtani), I don’t know if you can be surprised,” McCullough said. “Like anything else he does, he puts his mind on something, he’s in.” There’s a focus and determination that Ohtani brings to every at-bat, every stolen base attempt. It’s as if he’s playing a different game, seeing things others don’t even notice.

Roberts summed it up perfectly: “He’s trying to dominate on every margin. That’s what makes him great.” And isn’t that what makes sports so thrilling? Watching someone not just play the game but push its boundaries, reach for something beyond what’s been done before. So, keep your eyes on Ohtani as this season winds down. If we’re lucky, we might just witness a moment that will be talked about for generations to come.