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Shohei Ohtani Set New Dodgers Record & Most Stolen Bases For Players Born In Japan

Blake Williams
3 Min Read
Sep 27, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts from second on a double in the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Shohei Ohtani has had arguably the greatest season in Los Angeles Dodgers history, and one of the best performances in MLB history, and that continued on Friday with the unicorn setting another pair of records.

In the second inning of their blowout win against the Colorado Rockies, Ohtani stole his 52nd base of the season. That made him MLB’s single season stolen base record holder among Japanese-born players.

Ichiro Suzuki previously held the record with 56, which he did during the 2001 season. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is third on the list with 49 during the 2006 season for the San Diego Padres.

Roberts and Ichiro are tied for fourth on the list with 45, which Roberts did for the Dodgers in 2002 while Ichiro set his second mark in 2006.

Ohtani’s previous high stolen base total during a single season was 26, which he set in 2021. He also managed to steal 20 last year with the Los Angeles Angels, the only other season he reached more than 12.

In his career, Ohtani has swiped 143 bases.

Additionally, Ohtani blasted his 54th home run of the season in the sixth inning. While it was another impressive shot for MLB’s only 50-50 man in history, it also broke another Dodgers record.

When Ohtani crossed home plate after his homer, it marked his 132nd run scored of the season. That set the L.A. Dodgers franchise record for most runs scored in a single season.

Freddie Freeman set the record last year with 131, only to be overtaken by Ohtani one year later. The designated hitter also ended up scoring another run in the eighth inning after he reached on a double.

Including Brooklyn, the Dodgers single season runs scored leader is Hub Collins, who crossed home plate 148 times in the 1890 season. Babe Herman holds the modern era record with 143 in 1930.

Shohei Ohtani reaches 400 total bases

On Thursday, Ohtani also became the 18th player in MLB history to reach 400 total bases in a single season. He extended that number to 408 on Friday.

However, Herman holds the Dodgers franchise record with 416 during the same season he scored 143 runs.

Ohtani’s total of 408 places him 21st all-time for total bases in a single season. Babe Ruth holds the record with 457 in 1921, and he also reached 417 in 1927.

Other players to reach 400 total bases in a season include Rogers Hornsby, Lou Gehrig, Jimmy Foxx, Stan Musual, Joe DiMaggio, Barry Bonds and Hank Aaron.

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Blake Williams is a journalist from Reseda, Calif., who is currently the Managing Editor for Dodger Blue. He previously worked as a Managing Editor for Angels Nation, as a staff writer at Dodgers Nation, as the Managing Editor and Sports Editor for the Roundup News at L.A. Pierce College, and as an Opinion Editor for the Daily Sundial at California State University, Northridge. Blake graduated Cum Laude from CSUN with a major in journalism and a minor in photography/video. He is now pursuing his master's degree from the University of Alabama. Blake is also always open to talk Star Wars with you. Contact: Blake@mediumlargela.com