Sports world reacts to Shohei Ohtani's historic night creating MLB's 50-50 club
Ohtani hit three homers and drove in 10 RBI in the Dodgers' 20-4 win
There is only one member of the 50-50 club in MLB history after Shohei Ohtani's historic performance Thursday. The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar went 6-for-6 with three home runs, two doubles, two steals, four runs scored and 10 RBI in a 20-4 rout of the Miami Marlins.
The win clinched a playoff spot for the Dodgers, marking the first time in Ohtani's MLB career that he will be playing in the postseason.
"I'm equally ecstatic with both experiences I had," Ohtani told the MLB Network postgame through an interpreter. "The biggest thing for me was being able to finally achieve the dream of playing in a postseason game."
As with any historic event in baseball, the Hall of Fame came calling for some of Ohtani's equipment, including his cleats that featured his dog, Decoy.
Shohei Ohtani’s 50/50 game cleats, custom @newbalance Ohtani 1s featuring his dog Decoy, have been authenticated to be sent to the Hall of Fame 🐐
📹 @MLB pic.twitter.com/iWITIEF9Ay— Sole Retriever (@SoleRetriever) September 20, 2024
The entire sports world has been following Ohtani's otherworldly season, and many people found themselves amazed yet again by the Japanese star's exploits.
Logan Gilbert, Seattle Mariners pitcher: "Unbelievable season. Nobody's done it before, so I've got a ton of respect for him. And, yeah, glad he's on the Dodgers and not an AL team."
Yusei Kikuchi, Houston Astros: "As I was finishing my warm-up, I saw him hit his 50th home run. I was really excited and happy for him. All my teammates were watching, too, and they were pretty excited, too. I’m happy that it was a Japanese player that was able to accomplish it."
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers: "THIS GUY IS UNREAL!!!! WOWZERS"
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs: "Insane!!!"
Billie Jean King, tennis Hall of Famer: "Make that 51/51 for Shohei Ohtani! Wow!"
Magic Johnson, basketball Hall of Famer: "On behalf of the Dodgers’ Ownership Group, I want to congratulate Shohei on being the 1st in MLB History to have a 50/50 season! Dodger Fans, we got a chance to be a part of MLB history!"
Former MLB slugger Jose Canseco was the first player to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a season. Before the 1988 season, he predicted that he would be the first member of the 40-40 club, and he did just that while helping the Oakland A's reach the World Series. Canseco was unanimously voted the AL MVP that season.
In 1988 I created the 40/40 club
35 years later Shohei Ohtani created the 50/50 club
Congratulations to him— Jose Canseco (@JoseCanseco) September 19, 2024
Even Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, on the eve of his three-year, $192 million extension announcement, enjoyed the show.
Yup Ohtani is the GOAT
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) September 19, 2024
Al Michaels, who has called many memorable baseball moments in his illustrious broadcasting career, took time during Thursday's game between the New York Jets and New England Patriots to acknowledge Ohtani's feat.
Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit on Shohei Ohtani. 🏈⚾️📺🎙️#TNF pic.twitter.com/jTj9WkVsh1
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 20, 2024
Former MLBer Fred Lynn is one of 15 players to have driven in at least 10 RBI in a game, having done so against the Detroit Tigers in 1975 as a rookie with the Boston Red Sox.
Tonight … holy crap! Unprecedented display of talent. Tip of the cap from one 10 RBI guy to another. @Dodgers pic.twitter.com/lOaejIdksg
— Fred Lynn (@19fredlynn) September 20, 2024
The Tampa Bay Rays were getting Ohtani updates during their game against the Red Sox and had to watch history for themselves.
"We had gotten news that he was 6-for-6. We're like, 'What?' And we're all pulling it up on the iPad, the home runs he hit, and it's like, dude is unbelievable," Rays shortstop Taylor Walls said. "Three homers, [two] stolen bases, two doubles, 10 RBIs. Who does that?
"Nobody does that.”