The 40/40 Club has a new member—Shohei Ohtani, who made history in record time.
On Friday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar delivered a walk-off grand slam against the Tampa Bay Rays, marking his 40th home run of the season. This achievement not only made him the fastest player to reach this milestone in Major League Baseball history, but it also solidified his place as the first 40/40 player in Dodgers history and only the sixth in MLB’s storied past.
Entering the game with 39 home runs and 39 stolen bases, the two-time American League MVP and current National League MVP frontrunner showcased his all-around talent. After stealing a base in the fourth inning, Ohtani faced a challenging situation in the bottom of the ninth with the game tied, the bases loaded, and two outs. He swung at the first pitch from Colin Poche, sending it soaring just over the right-center fence, clinching a 7-3 victory for the Dodgers.
Ohtani’s entry into the 40/40 Club came in just 126 games, smashing the previous record of 147 games set by Alfonso Soriano of the Washington Nationals in 2006.
To understand the magnitude of Ohtani’s accomplishment, here’s a look at the previous 40/40 seasons and how they stack up against his groundbreaking performance.
1988: Jose Canseco, Oakland Athletics: .307/.391/.569/.959; 42 HR, 40 SB
Canseco’s 1988 season was a landmark moment in baseball. He combined extraordinary power and speed, achieving the first 40/40 season in MLB history. That year, he also hit over .300 for the only time in his career while leading the American League in slugging percentage. His performance earned him the AL MVP award, helping the Athletics reach the World Series, although they ultimately lost to the Dodgers.
1996: Barry Bonds, San Francisco Giants: .308/.461/.615/1.076; 42 HR, 40 SB
1998: Álex Rodríguez, Seattle Mariners: .310/.360/.560/.919; 42 HR, 46 SB
Rodríguez, the all-time leader in stolen bases among 40/40 players, achieved 46 steals alongside 42 home runs in 1998. Despite leading the AL in several categories, including hits, he finished ninth in MVP voting, partly due to the Mariners finishing below .500 that season.
Despite his impressive stats, Rodríguez and the Mariners did not qualify for the playoffs, which impacted his MVP candidacy.
2006: Alfonso Soriano, Washington Nationals: .277/.351/.560/.911; 46 HR, 41 SB
Despite his franchise-record numbers, Soriano’s efforts did not translate to MVP support, as the Nationals finished last in the NL East.
2023: Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta Braves: .337/.416/.596/1.012; 41 HR, 73 SB
Acuña Jr. made headlines last season by becoming the first player to join the 40/70 club, finishing with 41 home runs and a remarkable 73 stolen bases. His stellar performance earned him the MVP award and solidified his status as one of the game’s elite players.
2024: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers: .292/.378/.614/.992; 40 HR, 40 SB (through Aug. 23rd)
With his recent grand slam, Ohtani seems poised to secure his third MVP award and inch closer to a groundbreaking 50/50 season, an achievement that would further elevate his remarkable career.
