The Japanese slugger etched his name alongside Barry Bonds and Aaron Judge when he went deep against the New York Yankees on Tuesday.
Los Angeles Angels designated hitter and starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani has been making history ever since he joined MLB in 2018, and he made some more Monday night.
Ohtani launched his 35th home run of the season in the seventh inning of the Angels' series opener against the New York Yankees. Los Angeles went on to win the game 4-3 in 10 innings, improving to 47-48 in the process.
With his latest home run, Ohtani became the fifth player since 2000 to hit 35 home runs in his team's first 95 games, according to ESPN Stats & Info. Ohtani joins Barry Bonds, Luis Gonzalez, Aaron Judge and Chris Davis in accomplishing the feat.
Bonds finished the 2001 season with an MLB-record 73 homers, while Gonzalez ended that same year with 57. Davis hit 53 home runs in 2013 – his lone season as an All-Star – while Judge finished with 62 in 2022.
Judge beat out Ohtani for American League MVP last fall as a result, although Ohtani could steal back the crown in 2023.
In addition to hitting .306 with 35 homers, 75 RBI, six triples, 11 stolen bases and a 1.068 OPS, Ohtani also boasts a 7-5 record, 3.50 ERA, 1.120 WHIP and 139 strikeouts on the mound. Ohtani won AL MVP in 2021, putting him in position to become the 32nd player in MLB history to win multiple MVP awards – and only the seventh since 1999.
Ohtani will get another chance to boost his home run total Tuesday night against the Yankees. First pitch is scheduled for 9:38 p.m. ET from Angels Stadium.
Right-hander Domingo German – who leads all Yankees pitchers with 16 homers allowed this season – will draw the start for New York.
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