Ohtani hits grand slam in 9th inning, becomes fastest player in MLB history to join 40-40 club

Ohtani hits grand slam in 9th inning, becomes fastest player in MLB history to join 40-40 club

Shohei Ohtani is baseball’s fastest 40-40 hitter.

The Japanese superstar hit a two-out grand slam in the ninth inning, after stealing his 40th base, to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 7-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night.

Ohtani accomplished the milestone in his 126th game and the team’s 129th, becoming the quickest player in major league history and the

sixth to reach 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season. He is also the first Dodger player to do so.

“It’s really more about the winning,” Ohtani explained through an interpreter. “Obviously the record is part of the process but I think the

most important thing is about winning the game.”

He surpassed Alfonso Soriano’s previous record set in Game 148 for the Washington Nationals in 2006.

“It’s just a storybook — 40-40 on the same night,” manager Dave Roberts explained. “I’m not sure whether that’s ever been done, and he

wins with a grand slam. He is well-known for his dramatics, and this was something I will remember for a long time.”

Ohtani’s 389-foot shot broke a 3-3 tie. Jose Siri, the Rays’ center fielder, chased the ball, which bounced back ont

o the field. He then flung

it into the stands, ensuring that Ohtani did not receive the keepsake, according to Ohtani’s interpreter Will Ireton.

When Ohtani made history, Dodgers starter Bobby Miller was in the clubhouse watching it on TV.

“I kind of called that one,” he remarked. “I was like, how great would it be to get a 40-40 on a walk-off grand slam? “He’s a very special player.”

Ohtani took a curtain call as 45,556 people stood and shouted. Miguel Rojas and Teoscar Hernández drenched him with water on the pitch.

“It means a tremendous amount for me to be able to do this in front of the home crowd,” Ohtani told me.

Ohtani will join Soriano, Ronald Acuna Jr., Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, and Jose Canseco in the 40-40 club. Acuna became a member last season after hitting 41 home runs and stealing 73 bases.

After never entering the postseason in his six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani now finds himself in a pennant chase with the NL West-leading Dodgers.

“The number one goal is to get to the postseason and win the World Series,” he told reporters. “Whatever the outcome is for my record, that’s part of the process.”

In the fourth inning, Ohtani led off with an infield single against Tyler Alexander and swiped second during Freddie Freeman’s at-bat.

His 12 stolen bases in August without being caught are the most by a Dodger in a single month since Rafael Furcal went 12 for 12 in September and October 2007.

“I know that he’s taking very good care of his legs to be able to do it and be that dynamic player,” Roberts told the crowd. “He’s doing his study on opposing pitches and making great jumps. He is a much superior base stealer. “He’s extremely efficient.”

Roberts remarked that earlier in the season, when the Dodgers faced the Angels, Ohtani was timid on the basepaths and had a low stolen base percentage.

“He’s an elite base stealer with a high success rate,” the manager explained. “I’m sure there’ll be more dramatics to come.”

Aaron Judge, a New York Yankees player, leads the majors with 49 home runs. He is favored to win the AL MVP award, while Ohtani is expected to accomplish the same in the National League.

“I just don’t see anyone any better, obviously Judge is in the conversation, but man, I’d take Shohei,” Roberts was saying.

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