While Shohei Ohtani (30, LA Dodgers) is getting closer to achieving a milestone, Japanese media have summoned the name of Choo Shin-soo (42, SSG Landers).
Ohtani made his 46th home run of the season on the 9th (Korea time) as the first and designated hitter in the 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) home game against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California.
Ohtani’s 46th home run came in the bottom of the fifth inning with one out and no runners on base. Ohtani hit Cleveland starter Tanner Bybee’s second changeup of 83.6 miles (134.5 kilometers) to draw a solo arch that goes inside the right pole. According to MLB.com GameDay, the official website of Major League Baseball, the batting speed was 116.7 miles (187.8 kilometers), the angle of launch was 34 degrees, and the flying distance was 450 feet (about 137.2 meters).
In 140 games this season, Ohtani has a batting average of 0.291 (162 hits in 557) with 46 homers, 101 RBIs, 113 runs, 30 doubles, seven triples, 72 walks, 145 strikeouts, 46 steals (four failed), 0.374 on-base percentage, 0.618 on-base plus slugging percentage, and 0.992 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS). With the addition of homers on the day, Ohtani will have four homers and four stolen bases to achieve 50 steals for the first time in MLB history.
Ohtani made his major league debut in 2018. And he set a record of 217 home runs in his personal career in the big leagues in 856 games in the major leagues. Attention is focusing on achieving another record. It is the record of the most home runs in Asian major leaguers. The hero of this milestone is currently held by Choo Shin-soo.
Since his debut in the Major League in 2005, Choo has played in the big leagues for 16 seasons through the 2020 season, and has posted a total of 218 home runs. In addition, he has posted five home runs (as of Sept. 9) this season, following 21 in the 2021 season, 16 in the 2022 season and 12 in the 2023 season. Choo will end his active career with the end of this season. Ohtani finally approached Choo’s milestone by one goal. 토토사이트
Japanese media also paid attention to the fact that Ohtani is approaching Choo’s record. “Ohtani is about to break the home run record that Choo Shin-soo has set for 16 years in the Major League,” Japanese media Kokoka said on Sunday. Currently playing for the SSG Landers of the KBO League, Choo holds the record of the most home runs by an Asian player while playing in major leagues such as the Cincinnati Reds and Texas Rangers for 16 years. However, he is expected to break the hero’s milestone in just seven years.
The media also said that Korea is paying attention to this fact. “Korea is also interested in achieving Ohtani’s record,” Kokoka said. While playing 1,652 games in the Major League, Choo hit 218 home runs. On the other hand, Ohtani hit 217 home runs in 856 games. “I am trying to break Choo’s record at an incredible speed,” he said. “Even if Ohtani breaks Choo’s record, Ohtani is a talented player. Choo’s record of 218 home runs, which he once said could be successful, will not fade.”
