Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reached the 50-home run milestone for a second consecutive season during a 9-6 loss to the against the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 16.
Ohtani ranks third in home runs behind the Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh (56) and Philadelphia Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber (53).
Ohtani reached the feat for the first time in 2024, serving strictly as an offensive player. That same season, Ohtani became the first player to reach the 50-50 milestone, with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. That milestone will not be in reach this season, with the Japanese player posting 19 stolen bases.
The two-way player also returned to the mound this season and began pitching for the Dodgers for the first time since joining the team.
Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run
With the Dodgers trailing 6-4 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Ohtani crushed a 1-0 pitch from Phillies relief pitcher David Robertson for his milestone home run.
Ohtani also started as a pitcher in Tuesday night’s game against the Phillies, throwing five no-hit innings before being replaced by Justin Wrobleski, who promptly gave up five runs as the Dodgers went from leading 4-0 to trailing 6-4 in the matter of a half an inning. The Dodgers’ defeat spoiled what was a big game for Ohtani.
Per Sarah Langs of MLB.com, Ohtani is the first player in Major League Baseball history to have 50 home runs while also striking out 50 batters as a pitcher in the same season.
Players with 50-plus home run seasons
(Number of home runs, season; players in alphabetical order)
- Pete Alonso (53, 2019)
- Brady Anderson (50, 1996)
- José Bautista (54, 2010)
- Albert Belle (50, 1995)
- Barry Bonds (73, 2001)
- Chris Davis (53, 2013)
- Cecil Fielder (51, 1990)
- Prince Fielder (50, 2007)
- George Foster (52, 1977)
- Jimmie Foxx (58, 1932; 50, 1938)
- Luis Gonzalez (57, 2001)
- Hank Greenberg (58, 1938)
- Ken Griffey Jr. (56, 1997; 56, 1998)
- Ryan Howard (58, 2006)
- Andruw Jones (51, 2005)
- Aaron Judge (62, 2022; 59, 2024; 52, 2017)
- Ralph Kiner (54, 1949; 51, 1947)
- Mickey Mantle (54, 1961; 52, 1956)
- Roger Maris (61, 1961)
- Willie Mays (52, 1965; 51, 1955)
- Mark McGwire (70, 1998; 65, 1999; 58, 1997; 52, 1996)
- Johnny Mize (51, 1947
- Shohei Ohtani (54, 2024; 50, 2025)
- Matt Olson (54, 2023)
- David Ortiz (54, 2006)
- Cal Raleigh (56, 2025)
- Alex Rodriguez (57, 2002; 54, 2007; 52, 2001)
- Babe Ruth (60, 1927; 59, 1921; 54, 1920; 54, 1928)
- Kyle Schwarber (53, 2025)
- Sammy Sosa (66, 1998; 64, 2001; 63, 1999; 50, 2000)
- Giancarlo Stanton (59, 2017)
- Jim Thome (52, 2002)
- Greg Vaughn (50, 1998)
- Hack Wilson (56, 1930)
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