The three-time All-Star became the first player in franchise history to reach an astonishing feat
SEATTLE — Entering Saturday's game between the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Dodgers, neither team had stakes in the result aside from keeping players healthy.
The Mariners were locked in as the No. 2 seed in the American League and the Dodgers were slotted as the No. 3 seed in the National League.
But there were several players with individual achievements to chase.
Most national attention has been on the mark Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh is chasing. Entering Saturday, he needed two home runs to tie and three to set the record for the most in a single season in American League history.
Mariners All-Star center fielder Julio Rodriguez was also chasing history.
Rodriguez entered the day needing two steals to have a 30/30 (30 home runs, 30 steals) season for the second time in his four-year career. He accomplished that feat in the first inning.
In the bottom of the first at T-Mobile Park, Rodriguez reached first base on a fielder's choice. The next pitch after he reached, he stole second. One pitch after that, he swiped third.
With his third steal, Rodriguez secured the 30/30 season, He's the only player in Seattle history to do so.
Rodriguez also became just the second player in MLB history, along with Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., to have multiple 30/30 seasons at 24-years-old or younger.
Rodriguez first accomplished the feat his second year in the majors in 2023. That season, Rodriguez scored 102 runs in 155 games and hit 37 doubles, two triples and 32 home runs with 103 RBIs and 37 steals. He slashed .275/.333/.485 with an .818 OPS.
This year, after his first-inning fielder's choice Saturday, Rodriguez has crossed home plate 105 times in 160 games and has hit 31 doubles, four triples and 32 homers with 95 RBIs and 30 steals. He's slashed .267/.324/.475 with a .799 OPS.
Rodriguez, and the rest of the Mariners, will have a bye through the wild card round of the playoffs. They'll face the winner of the wild card series between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians in Game 1 of the American League Divisional Series at a to-be-determined time Oct. 4 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
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