This is not a hyperbolic statement – The Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani is having the greatest individual season in Major League Baseball history and is arguably the greatest player of all-time. In a sport rich in tradition, no one has ever done what he is doing in 2024.
During the team’s 20-4 victory over the Miami Marlins on Thursday night, Ohtani became the first player in history with 50 home runs and 50 steals in the same season. He is the inaugural member of the 50/50 club. But it was during this game that Ohtani also had arguably the greatest individual game of anyone in history.
He went 6-for-6 at the plate with 3 home runs, 10 RBIs, and 2 steals. The following is the historical significance of Ohtani’s performance according to OptaSTATS and The Athletic:
- No player in baseball history had hit three homers and stolen multiple bases in a game.
- No player had collected more total bases (17) in a multi-steal game. The previous record was 11.
- No player since at least 1901 had collected at least five hits, hit multiple home runs and stolen multiple bases in the same game.
- No player since RBIs became a stat in 1920 had ever had a 10-RBI, six-hit, five extra-base hit, three-homer, and a multi-steal game.
Teammate Gavin Lux said, “That has to be the greatest baseball game of all time. It has to be.” That stats would agree.
Afterwards, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred posted the following congratulatory note on the league’s X account:
From Manfred’s comments, we learn four leadership lessons on what makes Ohtani such a transcendent athlete. Supporting comments are provided from The Athletic and Culture Of Sport articles.
Talent
Manfred made note of Ohtani’s power and speed. His agent, Nez Balelo, said, “I’ve seen him do some amazing things both pitching and hitting through the years but the way he’s doing this run of 50/50 is truly amazing.”
For more on Ohtani’s talent read 10 Leadership Lessons We Learn From Los Angeles Angels Star Shohei Ohtani.
Character
Character sustains your talent. It is what happens when no one is watching. Ohtani is praised for his “relentless preparation and dedication.” In addition to his physical training, Ohtani’s film study of opposing pitchers gives him a competitive advantage.
For more on the subject of character read Why I’m Rarely Surprised When A Leader Has A Moral Or Character Failure.
Drive
Molly Fletcher writes on page 15 in her excellent new book Dynamic Drive: The Purpose-Fueled Formula for Sustainable Success, “Dynamic-Drive is the spark that ignites and fuels the joyful pursuit of a better life.” She then adds, “Dynamic is defined as ‘constant change, activity, or progress; a force that stimulates change or progress within a system or process.’ Key word: progress, not a single moment.”
Ohtani is the living embodiment of dynamic drive. The team’s catcher Will Smith said, “I see all the work he puts in. He works harder than anybody. He scouts really hard. He’s playing a different game so it’s fun to see.”
Commitment to All-Around Excellence
This speaks to Ohtani’s ability to focus. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted, “He’s not pitching this year, so I think he is emptying the tank offensively.” Third-base coach Dino Ebel added, “Nothing bothers him. He lives for the moment. He’s born to be in the spotlight. … He knows everybody up here comes to the game now and they stand up. They’re filming it. Every time he gets to the plate, I look back and everybody’s standing. That’s Shohei.”
First-base coach Clayton McCullough continued, “I think he’s aware of all of it. You’re aware of all these things. But the difference is the ability to block it out and still go execute with all the noise surrounding him. That’s what makes the great ones do these things at times.”
Balelo concluded, I’m really proud of how he’s (approached) this year and stayed focused. Truly special player and person.”
Conclusion
If you have talent, character, drive, and the ability to stay focused and committed to all-around excellence, you too have a chance to be described as a truly special leader and person.
Mookie Betts sums up Ohtani’s play, “I didn’t even realize he was 6-for-6. What we see is like expected. It’s crazy that he lives up to those types of expectations. But that’s also what makes you speechless.” May the same be said about us.
FREE Helpful Resources
In conjunction with one of my content partners, I created two new checklists to help you identify ways you can improve your leadership:
You can download them by clicking HERE and HERE or on the images below.
Now a special request. These are complimentary resources. Therefore, if you download them, make special note of the ads on the pages you will see. If any interest you, please click the images and learn more about their products. Thank you as this helps cover the cost of production.
#CommissionsEarned
