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Shohei Ohtani's historic 50/50 feat (50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season) achieved on Thursday is earning him plaudits from the USA to Japan. That was always going to be the case once he signed a 10-year, $700 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the offseason.
Playing against the Miami Marlins on Thursday, Ohtani registered a performance for the ages. He capped off his 6-for-6 night with 10 RBIs, three home runs and two stolen bases en route the Dodgers' 20-4 win at LoanDepot Park. As the news of his performance reverberated across the globe, congratulatory messages poured in.
The Japanese Embassy in DC released a statement from Ambassador Yamada congratulating Shohei Ohtani.
"Congratulations to Shohei Ohtani on making @MLB history! As the first player to hit 50 home runs & steal 50 bases in the same season, he has brought people in Japan and the US together in celebration of our love of baseball and his unmatched talent," the tweet read.
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Shohei Ohtani's historic achievement captures headlines on Japanese newspapers
While it was night in America, it was daytime in Japan as fans witnessed Ohtani's accomplishment. The Dodgers slugger's historic performance dominated Japanese newspaper headlines.
Japan's top spokesperson, Yoshimasa Hayashi, was elated to learn Ohtani's achievement, telling reporters in Tokyo:
"We would like to congratulate him from the bottom of our heart. We sincerely hope Mr. Ohtani, who has already accomplished feat after feat and carved out a new era, will thrive further."
News of his heroics reached his native hometown in the northern Iwate region, where NHK broadcast captured a woman handing out a newspaper beaming with pride.
"As a fellow Iwate native, I'm proud of him," the woman said.
More and more congratulatory messages will likely hit Ohtani's phone, who'd be having a good night's sleep after bringing pride to his nation.
