MIAMI – When he reached 49 stolen bases on the penultimate day of the 2006 season, Dave Roberts’ mind ventured to one place.
“Fifty,” the Los Angeles Dodgers manager joked now, 18 years later, with his new superstar on the verge of 50 steals himself. Roberts never got there, reaching base once in the season finale but never breaking for second to cap his career-best season with a home run.
Shohei Ohtani’s first season with the Dodgers was defined by his pursuit of such round numbers, and the ever-closer pursuit of becoming the first player in MLB history with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season.
He crossed one of the thresholds on Thursday, narrowly swiping third base against the Miami Marlins as part of a double steal in the first inning to record his first season with 50 stolen bases.
Ohtani narrowly missed his 49th home run of the year with a double off the top of the wall to get on base, then was looked back toward second base by Marlins starter Edward Cabrera before Ohtani and Freddie Freeman executed a one-out double steal . A hard throw from catcher Nick Fortes beat Ohtani to the bag, but Connor Norby didn’t get the tag down in time.
5⃣0⃣ stolen bases for Shohei Ohtani! 👏 pic.twitter.com/G1CBX0ZXeI
– SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) September 19, 2024
The immediate brief delay for a possible review allowed for a moment of recognition. Ohtani waved his arms to signal he was safe, then gave a thumbs up to the visiting dugout who roared in celebration. That included Roberts, now his manager with the Dodgers.
Between innings, the base was traded out and kept for safekeeping.
For weeks now, the Dodgers have debated not if, but when their new star would etch his name into baseball history.
Ohtani is firmly there. It was cause for minor surprise that Ohtani reached 40 steals last month before he hit 40 home runs; after all, Ohtani’s power has been the source of admiration since he first began his two-way journey in the United States. But as Ohtani approached 50 swings, his speed and skill on the bases took the next step.
“I think he realized he was on his way to having a really special season,” Roberts said. “What can make it a little more special and unique is adding more stolen bases.”
As remarkable as the volume is its efficiency. On Thursday, he stole his second base of the game an inning after catching his 50th to extend his streak to 28 straight times without being caught. He has now swiped 35 bases since the start of July.
“I think he likes the challenge of studying pitchers, learning the tendencies,” Roberts said. “I think that’s something that intrigues him.
“His best attribute is his ability to get good jumpers. Obviously layered with foot speed, but I’ll tell you this — I don’t think in years past, watching him, I don’t think he was a great base stealer. I don’t think he got big jumps. But now when I watch him, especially from the third base dugout at home, where I have a good view of the pitcher and the runner, his jumps are spot on.”
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(Photo: Sam Navarro / Imag Images)
