Getty Image / Todd Kirkland
Shohei Ohtani is about to wrap up arguably the greatest offensive season in baseball history, and he’s been closing in on becoming the first member of the 50-50 club for quite some time. The Dodgers tw0-way star has solely focused on hitting this year as he has recovered from a Tommy John procedure, and that’s paid huge dividends.
On Wednesday, Ohtani came into an afternoon game against the Miami Marlins at 48 home runs and 49 steals. Somehow, through one of the best performances in the history of Major League Baseball, Ohtani reached 51 homers and 51 steals by the time the game was over through a marvelous 6-6, 3 HR, 10 RBI performance.
Yes, Shohei Ohtani was 6-6 with three home runs, two steals, and drove in ten runs in a 20-4 win. Oh yeah, it got him into the 50-50 club, too. It may be one of the best individual games in modern American sports.
At a certain point, a manager has to wonder whether they should keep pitching to a guy like Ohtani who is clearly seeing it well. But, Marlins manager Skip Schumacher wanted nothing to do with it.
Skip Schumaker
asked if he's walking Shohei
"F*ck that" pic.twitter.com/FxgofCdrE9— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) September 19, 2024
Here’s what he had to say about the choice to not walk Shohei Ohtani.
"That's a bad move, baseball-wise, karma-wise, baseball-gods-wise. You go after him and see if you can get him out."
Marlins manager Skip Schumaker explains why they didn't walk Ohtani and what it was like to watch the historic performance tonight. pic.twitter.com/VhmZvLvmnD
— Bally Sports Florida: Marlins (@BallyMarlins) September 20, 2024
And, here’ what Ohtani did after he chose not to walk him.
https://twitter.com/search?q=ohtani&src=typed_query
Baseball needs huge superstars more than ever right now. Thankfully, they have one in Shohei Ohtani.