Ohtani's path to his historic 50-50 season

Ever since arriving in the Major Leagues in 2018, Shohei Ohtani has pushed the boundaries of what a single baseball player is capable of doing.

While rehab from an elbow injury kept Ohtani off the mound in 2024, the Dodgers DH found other ways to continue that trend. One year after Atlanta's Ronald Acuña Jr. established the 40-70 Club, Ohtani made history of his own by smashing home runs and swiping bases at a blistering pace. The 30-year-old already reached the previously elusive 40-40 mark faster than any other player, and he didn't stop there. On Sept. 19, he established the first 50-50 season in MLB history.

So how did he get here? Here's a breakdown of Ohtani's home runs and stolen bases by month:

March/April: 7 HR/5 SB
May: 7 HR/8 SB
June: 12 HR/3 SB
July: 6 HR/12 SB
August: 12 HR/15 SB
September: 7 HR/8 SB

40-40 seasons in MLB history

• 2024 -- Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers): 51 HR, 51 SB
• 2023 -- Ronald Acu?a Jr. (Braves): 41 HR, 73 SB
• 2006 -- Alfonso Soriano (Nationals): 41 HR, 46 SB
• 1998 -- Alex Rodriguez (Mariners): 42 HR, 46 SB
• 1996 -- Barry Bonds (Giants): 42 HR, 40 SB
• 1988 -- Jose Canseco (A's): 42 HR, 40 SB

Ohtani has one more exclusive club in his sights if he can finish first or second in MLB in both home runs and stolen bases. The only players to finish a season top-two in MLB in both are 1909 Ty Cobb and 1908 Honus Wagner.