Shohei Ohtani moves up multiple career lists with leadoff HR

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Shohei Ohtani moves up multiple career lists with leadoff HR

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Jul 28, 2026 11:28 PM ET

No stranger to making history, Shohei Ohtani moved up multiple all-time lists with one swing of the bat on Tuesday night.

Going yard on his first at-bat, Ohtani ignited the Dodger Stadium crowd with a leadoff solo shot in the bottom of the first inning. Ohtani's 23rd home run of the season accomplished far more than just hand the Los Angeles Dodgers an early lead in the opening game of a series against the Seattle Mariners.

Shohei Ohtani made history twice with his leadoff HR

His leadoff blast moved him into a tie with Davey Lopes for the second most such home runs in Dodgers history. He's just four away from matching his teammate Mookie Betts for the most leadoff home runs in franchise history.

And to make the home run even more historic, Ohtani now has the sixth-most home runs ever hit by a player in his first three seasons with a team.

Ohtani's 132 puts him one shy of the 133 recorded by Roger Maris from his time with the New York Yankees and former Athletic Kris Davis.

Shohei Ohtani's 23rd home run is a leadoff blast! pic.twitter.com/8vvrIJm1dc
— MLB (@MLB) July 29, 2026

However, Mark McGwire sits above them all with 159 from early in his tenure with the St. Louis Cardinals, while Alex Rodriguez's 156 as a Texas Ranger and Babe Ruth's 148 with the Yankees round out the top three.

Below his normal offensive standard, Ohtani's work as a pitcher has elevated his 2026 season

As far as his 2026 season as a whole, Ohtani also has 62 RBI, 67 runs scored, 106 total hits and 63 walks in addition to his 23 home runs in 98 games. He entered the game with a slash line of .282/.387/.520 as a hitter. Pitching-wise, Ohtani is 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts.

A six-time All-Star, four-time MVP, four-time Silver Slugger recipient, two-time World Series champion and the 2018 American League Rookie of the Year, just to name some of what's already on his resume. Ohtani has 303 career home runs as he's in the midst of his ninth MLB season.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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