Dodgers' Roberts: Shohei Ohtani's Grand Slam to Clinch 40-40 Club Was 'Storybook'

Shohei Ohtani became the sixth player in MLB history to have a 40-40 season, joining the club in spectacular fashion with a walk-off grand slam in the Los Angeles Dodgers' 7-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters after the game it was a "storybook" moment for Ohtani to make history in that manner.

"It's just storybook—40-40 on the same night," Roberts said. "I don't know if that's ever been done, and then he wins it with a grand slam. He's definitely known for the dramatics, and this was something I'll remember for a long time."

The Dodgers loaded the bases with two outs when Ohtani drove the first pitch he saw from Rays reliever Colin Poche to centerfield and it just cleared the fence.

Ohtani became the fastest player in MLB history to reach the 40-40 threshold in a season. He accomplished the feat in his 126th game played, beating the previous mark of 147 games set by Alfonso Soriano during the 2006 campaign.

This marks the second consecutive season with a 40-40 player. Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. had 41 homers and 73 stolen bases in 2023 en route to winning his first career NL MVP award.

Other members of the 40-40 club include Jose Canseco (1988), Barry Bonds (1996) and Alex Rodriguez (1998). Canseco and Acuña are the only players to win an MVP award in their 40-40 season.

Since Ohtani hasn't been able to pitch this season after undergoing elbow surgery in September 2023, it seems to have freed him up to use his speed on the bases in a way he never has before.

It was already known that Ohtani could run if he wanted to. He had sprint speeds in the 90th percentile or better in 2020 and 2021, but his career-high in stolen bases prior to this season was 26 (2021).

There was never any question about Ohtani's bat as he made the move to the Dodgers from the Los Angeles Angels. He led MLB in slugging percentage (.654) and led the AL in homers (44) and on-base percentage (.412) last season.

Ohtani has continued to be one of the best hitters in the league. He leads the NL with 40 homers and a .614 slugging percentage in 126 games. The two-time AL MVP is currently on pace for the first 50-50 season in MLB history.

The Dodgers have now won five straight games and extended their lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West to four games. Their 77-52 record is the best in MLB, one game ahead of the New York Yankees (76-53).