Ohtani, who hit 54 homers last season, returned to the 50-homer plateau on Tuesday by launching one against the Philadelphia Phillies’ David Robertson to cement his place in rare air. Only six players have reached 50 homers in consecutive seasons, with Ohtani joining Babe Ruth (who did it twice, 1920-21 and 1927-28), Ken Griffey Jr. (1997-98), Mark McGwire (1996-98), Sammy Sosa (1999-2001) and Rodríguez.
In true two-way fashion, Ohtani slugged his 50th homer in the eighth inning after tossing five innings of no-hit baseball to lower his season ERA to 3.29 earlier in the game.
Aaron Judge, who has 48 homers, after hitting 58 last year, also has an opportunity to join that exclusive club with a strong finish to the season.
Shohei Ohtani crushes his 50th HR after throwing 5 no-hit innings earlier! pic.twitter.com/P3NfvGXp0c
— MLB (@MLB) September 17, 2025
Only Ohtani and Ruth had back-to-back 50-homer years while also pitching in at least one of those seasons. (Ruth pitched one game in 1920 and two in 1921; Ohtani had 12 starts this season through Tuesday.)
When Ohtani crossed the 50-homer threshold for the first time in 2024, he did so as part of the first 50-50 season in the majors (he had 54 home runs and 59 steals). The 31-year-old returned to the mound this June after a second elbow ligament reconstruction while retaining his torrid power pace at the plate.
With this latest feat, Ohtani continues to polish his case for a fourth MVP award. The Dodgers’ leadoff hitter has already matched the franchise record for leadoff home runs (12) set in 2023 by Mookie Betts, the man now hitting behind him.
Ohtani needs three more leadoff homers to tie Kyle Schwarber’s single-season MLB record of 15 set in 2024.
Schwarber, fittingly enough, is one of two players (with Seattle’s Cal Raleigh) to beat Ohtani to the 50-homer mark in 2025.
(Photo: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
