Shohei Ohtani./Getty Images Korea LA Dodgers Shohei Ohtani./Getty Images Korea
[마이데일리 = 심혜진 기자] Shohei Otani (29, LA Dodgers) already leads the league in four batting categories.
Ohtani recorded 2 hits in 3 at-bats (1 home run), 2 RBIs, 1 walk, 1 strikeout, and 2 runs as the #2 designated hitter in the 2024 Major League Baseball game against the New York Mets held at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California on the 22nd (Korea time).
Ohtani’s home run gave the Dodgers the lead. In the bottom of the third inning, with the game tied 0-0, with one out and runners on first base, Mets starter Adrian Hauser hit an 81.7 mph slider at second pitch that flew over the right field wall. It flew at a speed of 110 miles (177 km) and was a big home run with a distance of 423 feet (128 m). With this, Ohtani recorded the 176th home run in his Major League career, surpassing the ‘legend’ Hideki Matsui. He set a new record for most home runs by a Japanese major leaguer.
Ohtani was called the biggest free agent of the offseason. Of great interest was which team he would go to. The winner was the Dodgers. He donned the Dodgers uniform through a massive 10-year contract worth $700 million (roughly 964.2 billion won).
However, he did not perform as expected at the start of this season. In particular, there were no home runs. They haven’t produced a home run in eight games since the opener. Because of this Ohtani did not hit a home run for the longest time since the opening game since entering the big league.
Still, Otani was Otani. Ohtani, who found his senses in the game against the San Francisco Giants on the 4th, drew a bow in two consecutive games and gradually accumulated home runs. And he managed to surpass Matsui.
Shohei Otani./Getty Images Korea
As of 23rd, Ohtani records a .368 batting average, 5 home runs, 13 RBI, 5 steals, and an OPS of 1.094.
Leading in 4 categories. He ranks first in batting average (0.368), hits (35), doubles (11), and bases (112).
At his current pace, 236 hits this season are possible. The number of hits over 230 in a season is the highest since Ichiro Suzuki (51), who was the first major league player to have over 200 hits for 10 consecutive years, recorded 238 in 2007.
Also, home runs and stolen bases are unusual. He is on pace for 33 home runs and 33 stolen bases.
Full Count Japan explained, “It’s not a dream for Ohtani to win the Triple Crown in batting this season. Ronald Acuña Jr. (Atlanta) accomplished it last season, but for Ohtani, this is the first record in the United States and Japan.”
Ohtani’s only weakness this season is his silence in the scoring range.
The media said, “Ohtani was noticed at the beginning of the season with a negative number of batting average of 0.136, but in the blink of an eye, he won four league crowns,” and added, “In 24 games, he records a batting average of 0.368, 5 home runs, 13 RBI, 5 stolen bases, 0.431 OPS, and 1.094 OPS “I’m interested to see how far the number goes up,” he said, expressing his expectations.
LA Dodgers Shohei Ohtani./Getty Images Korea LA Dodgers Shohei Ohtani./Getty Images Korea
Reporter Shim Hye-jin cherub0327@mydaily.co.kr
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