“I’m Beside Myself”: Shohei Ohtani’s Unbelievable Steal “Skill” Baffles Dave Roberts as Another Record Falls to His Feet

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ByAnanya Gondhi

Sep 19, 2024 | 3:33 PM EDT

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Another day, another dazzling record for Shohei Ohtani, and you can bet team manager Dave Roberts is feeling the excitement! The 30-year-old Los Angeles Dodgers star is on a relentless chase for that coveted 50-50 milestone, and with every game, he is inching a bit closer. Wednesday was no exception; Ohtani wasted no time in stealing another base of his season. That too just in the first inning during the Dodgers’ 8-4 victory over the Marlins; it was a sight to see.

After singling off left-hander Ryan Weathers in his first at-bat, Shohei Ohtani didn’t hesitate to make his move. On the very first pitch to Mookie Betts, he took off for second base, sliding in safely for his 49th stolen base of the season! How amazing is that? But it gets even better—this achievement ties him for the second-most stolen bases in a single season by a Japanese-born player in Major League history. And guess who he shares this title with?

Who is tied with Shohei Ohtani?

As per MLB report, that’s none other than Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who also racked up 49 stolen bases during his playing days, now tying with Ohtani for that impressive second spot. The top position belongs to Ichiro Suzuki, who set the record for a Japanese player with 56 stolen bases back in 2001. Watching Ohtani pull off what he once did brought a wave of emotion over Roberts. He couldn’t wait but point out that while Ohtani is remarkable as a DH, there’s one other quality that’s even better. Can you guess what that is?

According to the Dodgers manager, he keeps his legs loose to be able to steal. Roberts noted, “It’s a skill, it’s a talent and how he does it, I’m beside myself. It’s pretty impressive.” Talking about his gameplay on Wednesday, he thought he had a decent jump, but because of the speed factor, Nick Fortes had to hurry the throw. Well, at the end of the day, he was safe, and Dave hopes he keeps this up for the coming games.

As for Ohtani’s record, it’s looking positive – the chance to make history as the first player ever to hit at least 48 homers and steal 49 bases in a single season is just around the corner. With only two home runs and one stolen base needed for that incredible 50-50 milestone, we can see manager Dave Roberts is over the moon. But the buzz isn’t limited to the dugout, the two-way phenom has mesmerized even celebrities.

Rob Lowe delighted at his meeting with Ohtani

Rob Lowe, the West Wing actor, has shared a heartfelt experience he had with the baseball star Shohei Ohtani. When Rob visited the clubhouse to meet the 30-year-old, he was sitting in his workout shorts and uniform top. As he introduced himself, even though there wasn’t a need, the actor asked if he could take a picture. Ohtani agreed, but as Rob thought he would just stand up and take the photo, Ohtani started getting completely dressed.

The level of respect for the game and attention to detail he has left a mark in Rob’s mind, who later said, “Think about if any other superstar would ever do this.” He also shared a moment when he was sitting down in his seat, with a Dodgers representative, and a message popped up. It was for Rob, asking if he would care if Ohtani posted their photo. Talk about modesty; can you imagine sports stars doing this?

Well, if we are talking about unimaginable things, what Shohei Ohtani is doing on the field is also not comparable to other players at the moment. Day after day, he’s not just breaking records but redefining what’s possible on the field. With only a few games left for the Dodgers, the anticipation is electric. Now, the big question looms: will Ohtani also outpace Ichiro Suzuki’s record for the most stolen bases in a season by a Japanese player? What are your thoughts? Let’s hear them in the comments.