Los Angeles Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani and history go hand in hand at this point. This time he places his name in an exclusive group in MLB history, but what else is new?
Ohtani made history on Tuesday in a 5-1 win over the Oakland Athletics. In the win, Ohtani pitched six scoreless innings and hit his 25th home run of the season, notching a mother historic achievement on his long list.
He joined Babe Ruth as the only player in MLB history to have at least 10 home runs and 10 wins in the same season. Ruth did it over a century ago in 1918. Two Negro Leaguer also achieved the same feat – Bullet Rogan in 1922 and Ed Rile in 1927.
Manager Phil Kevin expressed his awe of Ohtani’s latest historical feel.
“I feel like every time we’re out there he does something special,” Nevin said. “You try not to take for granted what we’re seeing every night but it’s pretty awesome to be a part of. These things don’t go by us lightly.”
Ohtani also became the first player ever to have at least 25 home runs and 100 pitting strikeouts for the second year in the row. His accomplishment also had the opposition in awe as well.
“After that home run today, I turned to the umpire and third base coach and was just like, ‘I don’t know how he does it,'” A’s third baseman Vimael Machin said. “Just being an elite player overall who can throw over 100 mph with nasty off speed and hit the ball the way he hits it, I can’t even describe that. I wish I could do that, too. It’s amazing what he does.”
Although he joined company with a baseball legend, Ohtani said he has his sights set on another legend. “Obviously we’re very different types of hitters, but if I get to pass Ichiro I’m really honored,” Ohtani said.
Ohtani did, unfortunately, pick up an injury in the game as an 87 mph line drive hit him in his left foot.
He came back in but showed some discomfort. “It hit my foot pretty square so initially, I thought there was a good chance that might be it tonight,” Ohtani said. “Got back in there and it wasn’t as bad as I initially thought.”
“It hit my foot pretty square so initially, I thought there was a good chance that might be it tonight,” Ohtani said. “Got back in there and it wasn’t as bad as I initially thought.”
