Japan celebrates after Shohei Ohtani becomes first MLB player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases

The Los Angeles Dodgers' Shotani Ohtani surpassed the 50-50 milestone by hitting three homers and two steals on 19 September, local time. He set a new record of 51 homers and 51 steals in an incredible speed, with 6 hits in 6 at bats and three consecutive home runs at bat. I would like to congratulate him on this astounding record from the bottom of my heart, and hope for his further success on top of what he has already achieved."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tokyo, Japan - 20 September 2024

3. People waiting to have a special edition published by a newspaper company, reporting Ohtani's 50-50

4. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Atsushi Miyamoto, 50-year-old teacher:

"I am really happy. I felt Ohtani has become a one-of-a-kind."

5. Miyamoto talking to Japanese media

6. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Atsushi Miyamoto, 50-year-old teacher:

"I believe what he wants the most is to become the world champion. I hope he achieves his goal and to win the Major League Baseball's World Series MVP as well."

7. Ryoma Teramoto, a 52-year-old office worker, showing a photo of Shohei Otani bobblehead deco pin figure

8. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Ryoma Teramoto, 52-year-old office worker:

"It proves that a Japanese baseball player can do great in America. It hit my heart and I felt that Ohtani has given me courage by setting this new record."

9. Yu Tachibana, a 44-year-old office worker, reading the special edition

10. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Yu Tachibana, 44-year-old office worker:

"My son plays baseball and loves it so I want to bring this home for him."

11. Man reading special edition

12. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Yu Tachibana, 44-year-old office worker:

"One couldn't think of a Japanese person doing this well in the world 10 years ago. Like the saying goes, where there's a will, there's a way. I think it is very encouraging."

13. People waiting for the special edition ++MUTE++

STORYLINE:

Japan woke up to good news Friday as Shohei Ohtani became the first Major League Baseball player with at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi congratulated the baseball player in a Tokyo press conference on Friday.

Office worker Yu Tachibana grabbed one of the special edition newspapers on the streets of Tokyo with Ohtani's picture for her a 18-year-old son who also plays baseball.

"This news is very encouraging," she said with a big smile.

Ohtani raced past the 50-50 milestone in the most spectacular game of his history-making career, becoming the first big league player to hit three homers and steal two bases in a game during a 20-4 rout of the Miami Marlins on Thursday that also secured a playoff spot for the Dodgers.

Los Angeles’ $700 million Japanese superstar hit his 49th homer in the sixth inning, his 50th in the seventh and his 51st in the ninth.

He finished 6 for 6 with 10 RBIs while becoming the first big league player to hit three homers and steal two bases in a game.