Shohei Ohtani's 30th home run for the Los Angeles Dodgers was a remarkable event that added another milestone to his growing legacy with the team. This significant accomplishment occurred during a high-stakes game against the Boston Red Sox on a sunny Sunday afternoon at Dodger Stadium.
Significant Milestone
Facing pitcher Kutter Crawford in the fifth inning, Ohtani demonstrated his exceptional hitting skills by connecting on Crawford's cutter and sending the ball 473 feet over the stands.
This home run not only contributed to the Dodgers' thrilling 9-6 victory over the Red Sox, but also showcased Ohtani's immense power and precise hitting ability.
Spectators described how Ohtani's powerful stroke propelled the ball high and far, eventually landing in the stadium plaza.
The ball flew between the pavilion roof and a billboard in right-center field before clearing the concourse and landing on the walkway, highlighting Ohtani's extraordinary batting prowess.
When asked through an interpreter if he felt he hit the whole ball, Ohtani confidently confirmed, noting that he hit it at a good angle.
Fans and teammates alike were clearly impressed by his performance, underscoring his ability to make significant impacts at crucial moments.
Ohtani's home run was one of six connected by the Dodgers during the game, showcasing their offensive strength and contributing to their 9-6 victory.
This particular home run followed a solo home run by Austin Barnes, marking the seventh time this season that the Dodgers have connected on back-to-back home runs, with Ohtani involved in four of those instances. This pattern of consecutive home runs demonstrates the team's ability to build momentum and capitalize on throwing errors.
Kutter Crawford, who pitched the ball, acknowledged that he couldn't remember anyone hitting him a longer home run and admitted to leaving some pitches in the middle of the plate that the Dodgers didn't spare, emphasizing the quality of Ohtani's and the Dodgers' hitting.
Ohtani Closes in on Historic Achievement
Ohtani's home run brought him closer to accomplishing a historic feat at Dodger Stadium. He nearly became the second Dodgers player and the sixth player overall to clear the pavilion roof and hit a ball completely out of Dodger Stadium, a rare accomplishment since opening day in 1962.
The only Dodgers player to have done this was Mike Piazza on September 21, 1997 against the Colorado Rockies.
Other players who have accomplished this extraordinary feat include Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Famer Willie Stargell (1969 and 1973), St. Louis' Mark McGwire (1999), Miami's Giancarlo Stanton (2015) and San Diego's Fernando Tatís Jr. (2021).
Ohtani expressed his ambition to join this elite list, indicating that he hopes to have more opportunities to achieve such a milestone.
According to statistical data from the MLBOhtani's home run was tied for the third-longest in the majors this season, showcasing his exceptional power. On the same day, San Francisco's Jorge Soler connected on a 478-foot shot at Colorado's Coors Field, surpassing Ohtani's previous longest hit of 476 feet in Colorado on June 18.
This comparison highlights the competitive nature of long-distance home runs in the league. In addition, seven of Ohtani's 30 home runs this season have traveled at least 450 feet, underscoring his consistent ability to hit long balls.
The 116.7 mph exit velocity of this particular home run marked the third hardest ball hit by Ohtani this season, further emphasizing his power hitting prowess.
Shohei Ohtani is the first in the NL to reach 30 home runs!
His fourth straight season with 30+ homers! pic.twitter.com/z07KtX2dY8
- MLB (@MLB) July 22, 2024
Comments from peers
Ohtani's remarkable performance did not go unnoticed by his teammates and manager. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Ohtani's consistent ability to amaze, noting the difficulty of understanding how anyone could hit a baseball with such power and speed.
Roberts' admiration reflects the awe and respect Ohtani commands within the team and throughout the league. Austin Barnes, who hit the solo shot that preceded Ohtani's home run, expressed his admiration for Ohtani's skills.
Barnes noted that he never misses any of Ohtani's at-bats because they are incredibly exciting to watch, emphasizing the entertainment value and impact of Ohtani's presence on the field.
By hitting his 30th home run, Ohtani became the first National League player to reach this milestone this season. His accomplishment is remarkable considering Aaron Judge leads the majors with 35 home runs.
This is the fourth consecutive year Ohtani has connected for at least 30 home runs, showing his consistency and elite level of performance. Ohtani's personal record is 46 home runs, achieved in 2021 with the Los Angeles Angels, the year he won his first of two American League MVP awards.
This level of sustained excellence positions Ohtani as one of the top power hitters in the Major Leagues, with a bright future and numerous records within reach.
