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Shohei Ohtani Hits 28 Home Runs Through 82 games, Ties Dodgers Record
Shohei Ohtani Hits 28 Home Runs Through 82 games, Ties Dodgers Record originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Shohei Ohtani making history isn't exactly some rare event that's seldom seen. In fact, Ohtani has frequently revised the annals of baseball history. On Thursday, he again etched his name into the history books, only this time, in that of the storied 142-year-old Los Angeles Dodgers' franchise.
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With his home run in Thursday's 3-1 victory over the Rockies, Ohtani became one of only three Dodgers' hitters to mash 28 home runs in the first 82 games of a season. MLB commentator Sarah Langs noted Ohtani's achievement on X:
Ohtani's 28th of the season not only ties him with Aaron Judge for second-most home runs in MLB this season, it also ties him with Hall of Famers Gil Hodges and Duke Snider who each hit 28 in the first 82 games of a season, Hodges in 1951 and Snider in 1955, both as members of the Brooklyn Dodgers. No other Dodger has tallied more home runs in an 82-game span from the start of a season. Another legendary home run-hitter, Gary Sheffield, comes in at fourth with 27.
Los Angeles Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel (91) congratulates Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) after his solo home run in the seventh inning at Coors Field. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Making Ohtani's talent truly unique is his ability, not just to pitch at a high level or steal bases like an Olympian sprinter, but to mash like a generational slugger. Of the four renowned hitters Langs listed on X, only Ohtani has been able to surmount 43 home runs in a single season. Both Sheffield and Snider topped out at 43, while Hodges topped out at 42.
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Ohtani has surmounted the 43-mark three times, hitting a career-high 54 long balls last season. It's only fair to note that ballparks have gotten smaller over the years, which may skew the numbers just a little; still, pitching has vastly improved since Snider last stepped in the box, and topping 50 home runs in a season was never a common feat.
Ohtani is hitting .291/.392/.633 in addition to his 28 home runs this season. At this pace, he is well on his way to his third consecutive MVP, fourth overall, which would mark two more rare achievements.
Related: Major League Baseball Makes Shohei Ohtani All-Star Announcement
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
