Shohei Ohtani’s Historic Achievement: 40 Home Runs and 20 Stolen Bases in One Season
Angels' Superstar Joins Exclusive Club of Elite Players with Impressive Feat
In a noteworthy development, Shohei Ohtani has etched his name into Angels history yet again. The recent 10-6 loss to the Oakland A’s saw Ohtani achieve his 20th stolen base of the year in 2023, marking his place as the 34th player in history to secure 40 home runs and 20 stolen bases within a single season.
This remarkable accomplishment isn’t unfamiliar territory for Ohtani. The 29-year-old standout athlete had already achieved this feat back in 2021, which subsequently led to his recognition as the Most Valuable Player in the American League.
Sonja Chen, writing for MLB.com, sheds light on this achievement, revealing that only a select group of seven other players have managed this feat previously. Among these names are the likes of Alex Rodriguez with four occurrences, Barry Bonds with three, Jose Canseco with three, Shawn Green with two, Ken Griffey Jr. with two, Jeff Bagwell with two, and Hank Aaron with two, all possessing multiple 40-20 seasons.
Ohtani’s exceptional abilities have awed baseball enthusiasts once more, with his prowess both on the mound and at the plate this season. However, a recent setback occurred as it was unveiled that he has a tear in his UCL, casting a shadow over his remarkable 2023 season.
Despite this hurdle, Ohtani’s achievements stand tall. Holding an impressive 3.14 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP across 23 starts for the Angels, he also leads the major leagues with a staggering 44 home runs and a 1.066 OPS as a batter.
While Ohtani’s individual accomplishments continue to shine, the Angels’ overall performance has been less stellar this season. The team finds itself trailing 12.5 games behind in the AL Wild Card race, effectively diminishing their chances of reaching the playoffs. As Ohtani’s determination to secure victories remains steadfast, speculations arise about his potential exploration of other opportunities in free agency, possibly fetching one of the most substantial contracts in baseball history.
In the upcoming game, Ohtani and the Angels are set to face the Baltimore Orioles, who boast the second-best record across the league. The match is scheduled for Monday at 6:38 p.m. EDT, promising an exciting showdown on the diamond.
