Los Angeles Dodgers standout Shohei Ohtani surpassed Hideki Matsui’s record for the most home runs by a Japanese-born player with his two-run homer against the New York Mets on Sunday, marking his 176th career home run.
This achievement solidifies Ohtani’s position ahead of Matsui on the list, with Ichiro Suzuki holding the third spot. While Matsui contributed significantly to the New York Yankees’ success, including a World Series win in 2009, Suzuki is revered as a future Hall of Famer for his illustrious career. Ohtani’s remarkable feat positions him as a potential contender for the title of the greatest Japanese-born baseball player. Despite not pitching this season for the Dodgers, Ohtani has showcased his two-way prowess throughout his career, winning two MVP awards in the American League with the Los Angeles Angels in 2021 and 2023.
The historic home run propelled the Dodgers to a 2-0 lead over the Mets in a game they ultimately won 10-0, salvaging the final game of a three-game series after losing the first two.
Looking ahead, Ohtani aims to enhance his legacy with the Dodgers by contributing to team success and pursuing championships. With the Dodgers expected to contend for postseason glory, Ohtani seeks to make his mark in the MLB playoffs for the first time. Despite a somewhat underwhelming start to the season for the Dodgers with a 13-11 record, Ohtani has impressed at the plate, boasting a .359 batting average, a .419 on-base percentage, and four home runs.
As the Dodgers embark on a series against the Washington Nationals, Ohtani and his teammates aim to elevate their performance and meet the high expectations set for the season.
