Shohei Otani: Dodgers star becomes fastest player to reach 40-40 season in MLB history

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Otani He is the fastest man in baseball at 40-40 yards.

The Japanese star hit a powerful strike in the ninth inning to set his record for 40th after hitting a previous strike. Stealing his forty baseleading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 7-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night.

Ohtani achieved the feat in his 126th game and his 129th for the team, the fastest in major league history and the sixth all-time to reach 40 hits and 40 stolen bases in a season. He is also the first Dodgers player to do so.

“It’s really about winning,” Otani said through a translator. “Obviously the record is part of the process but I think the most important thing is to win the match.”

He broke the previous record set by Alfonso Soriano in the 148th game for the Washington Nationals in 2006.

“It’s just a fairytale, they drew 40-40 on the same night,” said tournament manager Dave Roberts. “I don’t know if that’s ever happened before and then he won the tournament on a penalty. He’s definitely known for drama and it’s something I’ll remember for a long time.”

Otani’s 389-foot shot broke a 3-3 tie. Rays center fielder Jose Seri chased the ball and it bounced into the infield. He then threw it into the stands, so Otani didn’t get the souvenir, according to Otani’s interpreter, Will Ireton.

Dodgers outfielder Bobby Miller was in the locker room watching on TV when Ohtani made history.

“I said that,” he said. “I was thinking how cool would it be to get 40-40 in a final? He’s a really special player.”

Otani walked off the field after 45,556 fans stood and cheered him on. His teammates Miguel Rojas and Teoscar Hernandez sprayed him with water on the field.

“It means a lot to me to be able to do this in front of my home fans,” Otani said.

Otani joins Soriano, Ronald Acuna Jr., Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds and Jose Canseco on the 40-40 club. Acuna became a member last season, when he hit 41 home runs and stole 73 bases.

After failing to qualify for the postseason in his six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani finds himself in a title race with the Dodgers, who lead the National League West Division.

“The first goal is to get to the postseason and win a world championship. Whatever the outcome is for my record, that’s part of the process,” he said.

In the fourth inning, Ohtani reached first base against Tyler Alexander and stole second base while Freddie Freeman attempted to bat.

His 12 steals in August without being caught are the most in a single month by a Dodgers player since Rafael Furcal stole 12 of 12 in September and October 2007.

“I know he takes good care of his legs so he can do that and be that dynamic player,” Roberts said. “He does his homework with opposing pitchers and he gets great jumps. He’s a much better base stealer. He’s very efficient.”

Roberts noted that earlier in the season, back when the Dodgers faced the Angels, Ohtani was hesitant about base runs and his stolen bases percentage wasn’t high.

“He’s an outstanding base stealer with a high hit rate,” the manager said. “I’m sure there will be more drama in the future.”

New York Yankees star Aaron Judge leads the list of players with 49 major league home runs. He is expected to win the American League Most Valuable Player Award, and Ohtani is expected to do the same in the National League.

“I don’t see anybody better,” Roberts said. “Obviously Judge is in the conversation, but man, I’m going to pick Shohi.”

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