In a stunning performance for the Los Angeles Dodgers, designated hitter Shohei Ohtani notched three stolen bases during their 11-6 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday. This feat brings his season totals to an impressive 44 home runs and 46 stolen bases. Ohtani’s achievements this season include becoming the quickest player to enter the 40/40 club in Major League Baseball (MLB) history and the first to hit both 43 home runs and steal 43 bases. He’s now eyeing a record-breaking 51 home runs and 54 stolen bases by the season’s end, which would mark him as the first MLB player to achieve 50 in both categories in a single season, according to analyst Sarah Langs.

Will Shohei Ohtani become the first player with a 50-50 season? – NBC Chicago

Additionally, Ohtani’s latest stolen base broke the record for most bases stolen by a Japanese-born player in a single season for the Dodgers, a record previously held by manager Dave Roberts. Beyond his base-stealing prowess, Ohtani has also delivered some of the hardest hits recorded by the Dodgers since at least 2015, with seven balls hit at speeds of 116.3 miles per hour or faster.

Ohtani is poised to join an elite group of players as only the fifth in MLB history to lead the league in home runs while stealing more than 40 bases in a single season—the first since Tris Speaker in 1912.

So far this season, Ohtani boasts a .292/.377/.616 slash line with 44 home runs and 98 RBIs, positioning him second in the league for home runs, trailing only Aaron Judge. Ohtani, who has not pitched this season due to recovery from UCL surgery, is also a strong contender for his third MVP award. His remarkable performance underscores his value under the massive $700 million deal he signed last December, making it one of the most historic seasons in the sport.