23 years ago Ichiro-19 years ago Matsui and Ohtani are all over the legends of Japan...It makes history when you "committed to hitting"
Jul 03, 2024
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Ohtani, who received Tommy John Surgery last fall, is only focusing on hitters this season and running toward `career high' at bat. If only special variables such as injuries do not occur, it is expected that he will be able to break the record of the most hitters in a season by the same Japanese batters in each offensive category.
Ohtani has already set a new record for most home runs in a season by a Japanese batter in 2021. With 46 home runs, Hideki Matsui easily surpassed the 31 home runs he marked in 2004 when he was with the New York Yankees. Ohtani hit his 32nd home run of the season against Eduardo Rodriguez in the bottom of the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox on July 8 (Korea time). It was the team's 86th game, so it was a great pace.
This season, Matsui is expected to surpass the Japanese batter's record of 116 RBIs in a season set in 2005. Ohtani has 62 RBIs as of the 2nd. If he maintains his pace until the end of the season, he can post 118 RBIs.
From the Kansas City Royals game on the 17th of last month to the Chicago White Sox game on the 27th of last month, Ohtani accelerated his RBI streak in 10 consecutive games, a record for the Dodgers. The RBI trend is in line with the home run pace. If he continues his sense of hitting 12 home runs and scoring 24 RBIs in June, he can easily break through 120 RBIs in the season.
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In particular, Ohtani has been the Dodgers' leadoff since the 18th of last month when Mookie Betts was on the injured list, which could speed up his scoring pace.
It is not a big concern that Matsui and Ichiro will surpass the record of most RBIs and runs scored in a season. Now that the home run that flew to the outfield has become Ohtani's trademark, attention should be paid to whether he can surpass his record in a season.
Ohtani, who has 26 home runs, can hit up to 50 home runs arithmetically. It will set a new record for Japanese as well as Asian hitters in a major league season.
Ohtani also showed pace to reach 50 home runs last year, but he ended the season early in September with elbow and back injuries since August, stopping at 44 home runs. Although he won his first home run title, he said he was very disappointed in his 50 home runs.
In addition, Ohtani is the No. 1 player in the NL batting average as of this day. He is two lengths ahead of San Diego Padres Luis Arraez (0.314) at .316. In the RBI category, the team ranks third, six behind Philadelphia Phillies Alec Bohm (68). In other words, the team is targeting the triple crown, which means home run, batting average and RBIs in three categories.
Ohtani, who came to the NL this year, can become the third MVP of his career as a unanimous opinion if he achieves not only Matsui and Ichiro's record of most RBIs and runs in a season, but also 50 home runs and triple crowns.
jhno@sportschosun.com
