Entering the 2024 season, the Los Angeles Dodgers franchise record for home runs in a single season was 49, and Shohei Ohtani was fully aware of that.
It was actually Ohtani’s goal to break Shawn Green’s longstanding record, according to an exclusive interview with the Associated Press. His previous best was 46.
“I kind of wanted to get over that bar,” he said. “I was pleasantly surprised I was able to pass that record.”
In his first season with the Dodgers, Ohtani delivered beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. He provided an electrifying performance at the plate, turning every at-bat into a spectacle. The 6-foot-4 designated hitter posted a career-best .310 batting average while smashing his previous records in home runs and stolen bases.
En route to claiming his third Most Valuable Player award, his first in the National League, Ohtani made history by establishing MLB’s 50/50 club, hitting 54 home runs and stealing 59 bases. He also led his new team to an eighth World Series title. It was his first postseason berth after missing out in each of the first six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels.
His individual performance was beyond impressive and his former manager Brad Ausmus wouldn’t be surprised if his next season surpasses what he did in 2024.
“It wouldn’t shock me if he went 60/60 and 20 wins a year from now,” Ausmus said recently. “This guy is the greatest athlete to ever play the sport of baseball and there’s not a close second.”
Ezoic
Los Angeles once again topped the league in attendance as fans packed the stands to watch the Japanese superstar, with record-breaking viewership from his home country as well. Unsurprisingly, Ohtani’s jersey became the best-selling player merchandise in MLB for 2024.
“I always thought Shohei made a lot of sense for us,” said Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten, moments after the Dodgers clinched that World Series win. “We hoped he felt the same way. There was that one awful Friday with the little plane in Toronto [sparking ultimately unfounded rumors of a free-agent signing with the Blue Jays]. We didn’t know any more than any of you did. But I think we were the best team for him, and I think he did also. … I think he made a really good choice.”
