Shohei Ohtani, a player from the Dodgers, hits a home run, reaching the 40-homer mark in a game played in the center field.
In a historic moment for the Los Angeles Dodgers, two-way player Shohei Ohtani has become the first pitcher in the franchise's 139-year history to reach 40 home runs in a single season. This impressive feat surpasses the record set by Cody Bellinger in 2019.
Ohtani achieved this milestone during the fifth inning of a game at Dodger Stadium, giving his team a commanding 3-0 lead. The home run, measuring 417 feet, came with the count at 3-1, showcasing Ohtani's exceptional timing and power.
This is not the first time Ohtani has made history with the Dodgers. Since joining the team in late 2023, he has recorded at least 40 home runs in multiple seasons, including 2024 and 2025, marking the first time a Dodgers pitcher has hit 40 home runs in modern franchise history.
Ohtani's 40-home run season also marks the first time a Dodgers player has had back-to-back 40 home run seasons since Shawn Green achieved this feat in 2002. This puts Ohtani in a strong position to be the first Dodgers player to have back-to-back 40 home run seasons since then.
Despite this remarkable accomplishment, Ohtani remains behind Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber in the home run competition, trailing by just one home run. The Dodgers franchise, established in 1883, has never had a player win multiple MVP awards, and Ohtani's exceptional performance at the plate and on the mound places him in strong contention for this accolade.
At the time of publication, Schwarber has not shown signs of becoming a Gold Glover or a converted pitcher, giving Ohtani an edge in MVP conversations. If Ohtani continues to dominate both on the mound and at the plate, he could potentially win another MVP award.
The Dodgers, one of the oldest franchises in the MLB, founded in 1876, have never had a player win multiple MVP awards. With Ohtani's exceptional performance, this could potentially change in the future.
[1] Los Angeles Times, "Shohei Ohtani makes history as first Dodgers pitcher to hit 40 home runs in a season", 2025. [2] ESPN, "Ohtani breaks Dodgers record with 40th home run", 2025. [3] Sports Illustrated, "Ohtani's historic 40-home run season", 2025. [4] MLB.com, "Ohtani joins exclusive list of Dodgers with multiple 40-home run campaigns", 2025.
- As Shohei Ohtani continues his impressive performances in the MLB, he has made history with the Los Angeles Dodgers by becoming the first pitcher to record 40 home runs in two separate seasons, a feat achieved in both 2024 and 2025.
- In the realm of sports, baseball, and more specifically the MLB, Ohtani's 40-home run season with the Dodgers stands as a remarkable achievement, breaking records set by players like Cody Bellinger and marking him as a strong contender for the MVP award.
