Ohtani Still Setting Records, Raising the Bar for Greatness
Dodgers superstar makes more MLB history with hot start to 2025
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani isn’t slowing down—he’s rewriting the record books again.
In the first month of the 2025 MLB season, Ohtani became the first player in league history to record double-digit home runs and stolen bases by May 6. The two-way superstar’s early-season surge is already placing him among the most dominant players in the game—again.
This historic pace follows his unprecedented 50-50 season in 2024, when he clubbed 50 home runs and swiped 50 bases, becoming the first player in major league history to reach both marks in a single season. Now, less than two months into the 2025 campaign, Ohtani looks poised for another extraordinary year.
As of May 19, the Dodgers slugger is batting .312 with 17 home runs—his most recent coming against the Arizona Diamondbacks, which solidified his position as the league leader in long balls. He has also tallied 31 RBIs and boasts a 1.078 OPS.
According to ESPN stats, Ohtani ranks first in home runs, third in OPS, tied for eighth in batting average, and 19th in RBIs across the league.
While much of the attention has always centered on his two-way ability, this season marks his continued evolution as a pure offensive force. Though he has yet to pitch in 2025 while recovering from elbow surgery, his impact in the Dodgers’ lineup is undeniable.
“He’s doing things we’ve never seen before,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said earlier this month. “Every time he steps on the field, he’s rewriting what’s possible in this game.”
As the Dodgers push through the season, Ohtani’s performance remains a driving force behind the team’s success—and a constant reminder that fans are witnessing a once-in-a-generation talent at the peak of his powers.
