Japan erupted in celebration on Friday as national hero Shohei Ohtani became the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season. The Los Angeles Dodgers star’s incredible feat quickly made “Ohtani-san” the top trending topic on social media platform X in Japan.
Chief government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi praised Ohtani’s “amazing achievement” at a press conference, expressing pride in his historic milestone. Ohtani’s accomplishment came during a dominant game against the Miami Marlins, where he hit three home runs and totaled six hits, bringing his season tally to 51 home runs and 51 stolen bases in a 20-4 Dodgers victory.
Ohtani, 30, needed just one stolen base and two home runs to enter MLB’s 50-50 club, an unprecedented feat in the league’s 148-year history. Known for his dual-threat skills in batting and pitching, the Iwate Prefecture native has been a source of immense national pride since joining the majors in 2018, where he won two MVP awards with the Los Angeles Angels.
This year, Ohtani’s popularity soared after signing a record $700 million contract with the Dodgers, despite focusing solely on batting due to arm surgery. His switch from Angels red to Dodgers blue was widely embraced in Japan, with every home run replayed on national news.
Fans and public figures alike flooded social media with congratulatory messages. U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel called Ohtani a “record-making machine” and a “global ambassador of the game.” Fans shared their pride and joy, with one user writing, “I’m proud to be Japanese. Amazing… I’m so happy.”
Ohtani’s towering 6’4″ frame and ability to hit 500-foot homers and throw 100 mph fastballs have redefined expectations for Japanese players in MLB. Author Robert Whiting, a longtime observer of Japanese baseball, remarked that Ohtani has surpassed American players on their own terms, potentially making him the greatest in MLB history.
Ohtani’s influence extends to inspiring younger generations, with many aspiring players, like Itsuki Takemoto from Wakayama, hoping to follow in his footsteps.