Shohei Ohtani Hits 300th Career Homer, 5th Fastest in MLB History

(CNA Tokyo, July 8) Los Angeles Dodgers Japanese star Shohei Ohtani started as the leadoff hitter and designated hitter in the Dodgers' game against the Rockies on July 7th, US time. In his first at-bat in the first inning against former Angels teammate, right-hander Michael Lorenzen, he hit his 20th home run of the season, reaching the milestone of 300 career home runs in Major League Baseball, the fifth fastest in MLB history.

According to Japan's "Daily Sports," the home run was hit to the back of the center-field wall at a speed of 181 kilometers per hour and a distance of 125 meters, a powerful solo shot. This was Ohtani's seventh leadoff home run of the season and 31st of his career, instantly igniting the passion of the home crowd.

Ohtani made his MLB debut on March 29, 2018, against the Athletics, batting eighth as the designated hitter. In his second career game as a hitter, on April 3rd against the Guardians, he hit his first career home run. Later, in his fourth MLB year in 2022, he reached 100 career home runs on May 14th against the Athletics. In his sixth year, on July 13, 2024, he hit his 200th home run against the Tigers, and now he has once again achieved the 300-homer milestone.

Ohtani completed his 300th home run in just 1102 games, the fifth fastest in MLB history. While he did not surpass the fastest record of 955 games set by Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, he did surpass the record of 1117 games held by A-Rod (Alex Rodriguez), who ranks fifth in all-time home runs with 696.

The current fastest MLB players to reach 300 career home runs are ranked in order: Aaron Judge (955 games), Ralph Kiner (1087 games), Ryan Howard (1093 games), and Juan Gonzalez (1096 games). Shohei Ohtani ranks fifth with 1102 games.

Ohtani started the season as a two-way player for the first time in three years, joining the Dodgers' starting rotation. Today, before the game, he also participated in throwing and catching drills on the field, preparing for his final start before the All-Star break on the 10th against the Diamondbacks. Despite facing challenges with injuries to his left knee and right forearm, he became the first Japanese player to achieve 300 MLB home runs.

As of the previous game, Ohtani had played in 83 games this season, including 10 games where he pitched and hit. His batting average was .294 with 19 home runs and 55 RBIs. In his previous game, he hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the bottom of the third inning, going 3-for-4 with 4 RBIs, leading the Dodgers to victory.

Ohtani was replaced by a pinch hitter in the seventh inning of the game on the 3rd due to discomfort in his right upper arm and rested completely on the 4th for treatment. He returned on the 5th and hit a timely single, and in the previous game, he hit a ball to left-center field. After the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, "His right arm is fine. We saw Shohei's performance again after a long time." (Editor: Chen Hui-ping) 0708