Shohei Ohtani Shatters Records and Makes History in MLB Playoffs

Shohei Ohtani continues to redefine what is possible on a baseball field, dazzling fans and statisticians alike with his two-way excellence for the Los Angeles Dodgers. In a historic Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium, Ohtani not only pitched six-plus scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts but also made Major League history by becoming the first pitcher ever to hit a leadoff home run in either the regular season or postseason (Shohei Ohtani is first pitcher with leadoff home run). Ohtani, known as “Showtime,” has become synonymous with breaking records. That night, he smashed three home runs—one a 446-foot leadoff shot with a 116.5 mph exit velocity, another a 469-foot blast over the roof of Dodger Stadium (only the seventh ever to do so), and a third that solidified his place among postseason legends. No pitcher had ever recorded even a multi-homer game in the playoffs, let alone a three-homer performance. Ohtani became just the 12th player (and 13th instance) with a three-homer game in postseason history, and the first Dodger to achieve two multi-homer games in the same postseason (Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Dodgers Designated Hitter). Ohtani’s two-way dominance is underscored by his regular season numbers. In his first season with the Dodgers, he slashed .310/.390/.646 with career highs in hits (197), doubles (38), home runs (54), RBI (130), and stolen bases (59). On August 23, he became the fastest player in MLB history to reach the 40/40 club (40 home runs and 40 stolen bases) in just 129 games, and on September 19, he entered the exclusive 50/50 club with a six-hit, three-homer, 10-RBI game. He led the National League in home runs, runs, RBI, OBP, SLG, OPS, plate appearances, and total bases. He also ranked second in stolen bases, only behind Elly De La Cruz (Shohei Ohtani Stats). His postseason heroics culminated in a World Series victory, where he delivered three home runs and 10 RBI over 16 games. Ohtani was unanimously named the National League MVP, becoming the first Dodger designated hitter and just the second player in MLB history (after Frank Robinson) to win MVP honors in both leagues. His accolades also include four straight All-MLB First Team selections, four Edgar Martinez Outstanding DH of the Year awards, the National League Silver Slugger Award, the Hank Aaron Award, and the MLB Players Choice NL Outstanding Player Award. Internationally, Ohtani led Team Japan to the 2023 World Baseball Classic title, earning tournament MVP honors. He batted .435 with a 1.345 OPS and went 2-0 on the mound with a 1.86 ERA, famously striking out Mike Trout to clinch the championship. At just 31 years old, Ohtani’s career trajectory is unprecedented. He is the only player in MLB history to qualify for league leaderboards as both a hitter and a pitcher in the same season, and the first to record 10+ pitching wins and 30+ home runs in a single campaign. His combination of power, speed, and pitching prowess has drawn comparisons to legends like Babe Ruth, but even Ruth never accomplished many of Ohtani’s feats in the modern era. Ohtani’s impact is both statistical and cultural, making him one of baseball’s most captivating figures. For fans, analysts, and bettors alike, every game he plays is a new opportunity to witness history in the making.