Shohei Ohtani Ties Dodgers Record Not Seen Since 1955

Ohtani’s 28^th of the season not only ties him with Aaron Judge for second-most home runs in MLB this season, it also ties him with Hall of Famers Gil Hodges and Duke Snider who each hit 28 in the first 82 games of a season, Hodges in 1951 and Snider in 1955, both as members of the Brooklyn Dodgers. No other Dodger has tallied more home runs in an 82-game span from the start of a season. Another legendary home run-hitter, Gary Sheffield, comes in at fourth with 27. 

Making Ohtani’s talent truly unique is his ability, not just to pitch at a high level or steal bases like an Olympian sprinter, but to mash like a generational slugger. Of the four renowned hitters Langs listed on X, only Ohtani has been able to surmount 43 home runs in a single season. Both Sheffield and Snider topped out at 43, while Hodges topped out at 42. 

Ohtani has surmounted the 43-mark three times, hitting a career-high 54 long balls last season. It’s only fair to note that ballparks have gotten smaller over the years, which may skew the numbers just a little; still, pitching has vastly improved since Snider last stepped in the box, and topping 50 home runs in a season was never a common feat.

Ohtani is hitting .291/.392/.633 in addition to his 28 home runs this season. At this pace, he is well on his way to his third consecutive MVP, fourth overall, which would mark two more rare achievements.