Shohei Ohtani Chasing Unprecedented 50-50 Feat

I don’t feel like I can see much of the future when I’m just setting up.

Shohei Ohtani (30) was unusually negative on August 18, the day he hit his No. 38, a bullet liner into the right field stands.

Ohtani has been in a slump in August. His monthly batting average of .195 and on-base percentage of .250 are both the lowest of the season (as of August 21).

Still, a reporter who covers the area laughs and says, “I don’t understand why they are so negative.

On August 19, he hit No. 39 into the right field stands for the second game in a row. Although his batting average is indeed low, Ohtani has hit seven home runs and stolen 10 bases in the first half of this month alone. His average monthly home runs and stolen bases so far this year are eight and seven, respectively, so it is clear that he is on a very fast pace. With 37 stolen bases this season, he is on track to become the sixth player in history to reach 40-40 (40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season). He has played less than 130 of the 162 games in a year at this point, so there is a strong possibility that he will break the previous record of 147 games set by Alfonso Soriano (48) in 2006.

After winning 10 games and hitting 40 home runs last year, this year’s record is 40-40, which is a frightening record in itself, but sportswriter Nachi Tomonari says, “Not only 40-40, but 50-50, which no one has ever achieved before, is also a realistic possibility.

Considering the number of games left to play, 50 homers is a close call, but with the return of Mookie Betts (31) and Freddie Freeman (34), who have been out of the team, the number of at-bats per game should increase. Given that Ohtani’s pace of home run production this season is about one per 12.4 at-bats, we can expect 51-53.”

Yes, 50 homers may be attainable. But what about stolen bases? Ohtani’s previous best was 26 stolen bases in the 2009 season, so the hurdle for him to reach 50 stolen bases seems quite high.

Rather, he could probably stretch it to about 55 stolen bases. The number of stolen bases Ohtani had recorded through June in the first half of the season was 16, but in the second half of the season, the number increased to 21 in July and August alone. Undoubtedly, Ohtani is increasing his pace with the 50-50 in mind. Since this is the only season he can concentrate on being a hitter, he may be thinking that this is his last chance to achieve an unprecedented record.

However, Otani’s performance tends to drop in September and October in most years. Although he will not be pitching this season, one must not let one’s guard down.

That’s probably my only concern. I hope he doesn’t get hurt by aggressive base stealing. It is possible that the team will rest Ohtani with an eye on the postseason, but he should continue to compete since he is currently competing with the Padres and Diamondbacks. If he continues to play at the pace he is playing at now, and does not play with the ball too much in pursuit of home runs, the results will naturally follow.

Otani is a man who has repeatedly blown away the concerns of those around him. He is sure to accomplish the feat that fans have been waiting for.

From the September 6-13, 2024 issue of FRIDAY