MIAMI (AP) — Shohei Ohtani looked up at the crowd cheering for him and the Los Angeles Dodgers and witnessed one of the best individual performances and seasons in major league history.

Fans held up their cellphones to capture the moment and chanted “MVP!” as Ohtani rounded the bases after clearing the fence for the 50th time, becoming the first major league player with at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season.

And the most amazing thing about it? Ohtani’s day wasn’t even over yet.

Ohtani crossed the 50-50 milestone in the most spectacular game of his historic career, becoming the first major league player to hit three home runs and steal two bases in a game. a 20-4 victory over the Miami Marlins on Thursday, which also secured the Dodgers a spot in the playoffs.

“Honestly, I almost cried,” said Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas. “There were a lot of emotions because of everything that was going on behind the scenes and what we were able to witness every day.”

The $700 million Japanese superstar from Los Angeles hit his 49th home run in the sixth inning, his 50th in the seventh and his 51st in the ninth. He finished the game 6-for-6 with 10 RBIs and became the first major league player to hit three home runs and steal two bases in a game.

“It was something I wanted to get over with as quickly as possible. And you know, it’s something I’m going to remember for a very long time,” Ohtani said in a television interview through an interpreter.

Ohtani hit two of his three home runs at LoanDepot Park to the second deck in center right. In the sixth inning started a 1-1 slider by George Soriano 438 feet for his 49th.

Ohtani hit his 50th home run in the seventh inning, a two-run shot into the left outfield against Marlins relief pitcher Mike Baumann. Then, in the ninth, his 51st covered 440 feet into right-center field, a three-pointer to Marlins second baseman Vidal Brujan, who came in to pitch when the game was already out of control.

“To be honest, I’m probably the one who’s most surprised,” Ohtani said. “I have no idea where that came from, but I’m glad it went well today.”

Ohtani came into the game with 48 home runs and 49 steals. He took care of the stolen bases early on, his 50th in the first and his 51st in the second. His last 28 attempts to steal a base were successful.

He broke the Dodgers’ franchise record of 49 home runs, set by Shawn Green in 2001. And he became the third player in major league history with at least six hits, three home runs and 10 RBIs in a game, joining Cincinnati’s Walker Cooper in 1949 and Washington’s Anthony Rendon in 2017.

“THIS GUY IS UNREAL!!!” LeBron James posted on X.

Ohtani has 120 RBIs, trailing only Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees (53 home runs, 136 RBIs) in both categories.

Ohtani reached the 50-50 milestone in his 150th game, becoming the sixth player in major league history and the fastest ever to reach 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season, all in just 126 games.

His previous career high in home runs was 46 for the Los Angeles Angels in 2021, when he also made 23 starting appearances on the mound and won his first of two American League MVP awards.

It was another memorable evening for Ohtani at LoanDepot Park, where he eliminated his then Angels teammate Mike Trout of the United States for the final of the 2023 World Baseball Classic championship while playing for Japan.

“I’ve had perhaps the most memorable moments of my career here,” Ohtani said, “and this stadium has become one of my favorites.”

Already widely recognized as baseball’s greatest player, whose performance as a pitcher and batter surpassed that of Babe Ruth, Ohtani reached new heights as an offensive player during his one-year break from pitching.

Ohtani signed his $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers last December. The two-way star, who previously played six years with the Los Angeles Angels, played exclusively as a designated hitter this season as he rehabs a damaged elbow ligament following surgery a year ago.

On Thursday, he narrowly closed the cycle with a triple, adding a single and two scoring doubles. He was thrown out at third base while trying to turn his second double into a triple.

“There’s really nothing you can say because there’s nothing you can do about it,” said teammate and former MVP Mookie Betts. “He’s just too good.”

When Ohtani came to bat in the seventh inning, first base was open, but Marlins manager Skip Schumaker decided against an intentional walk when the Marlins were trailing 11-3.

“If it was a close game, one point ahead or one point behind, I’d probably put him in,” Schumaker said. “Being that many points behind is a bad move as far as baseball, karma and baseball gods go. … I think out of respect for the game, we wanted to get him. He hit the home run. That’s just part of it. He hit (51) of them. He’s the most talented player I’ve ever seen.”

Preparation was key to Ohtani becoming the first member of the 50-50 club. He regularly consulted with the team’s hitting coaches and studied videos of opposing pitchers to understand their tendencies with hitters and baserunners.

“I see how much work he puts in,” catcher Will Smith said recently. “It’s not like he goes out there and it’s too easy for him. He works harder than anyone else. He’s a real scout. He plays a different game, so it’s fun to see that.”

Ohtani seemed to make the 50-50 mark his mission. He increased the frequency of his attempts to steal bases and in turn, his success rate increased.

But that may no longer be the case next year when he returns to the hill.

“He’s not throwing this year, so I think he’s giving it his all on offense,” manager Dave Roberts said. “I think the power, the on-base percentage, the average, he can do that as a pitcher. He’s done something very similar with his OPS. But as far as stolen bases, I’m not sure.”

Ohtani’s teammates enjoyed watching him hit home runs and scamper around the bases.

“I honestly try to learn from him by watching how he goes about his day-to-day. He’s very consistent, always has the same demeanor,” outfielder Tommy Edman said recently. “I think that’s why he’s such a good player.”

Third baseman Max Muncy added: “Every night I feel like he’s doing something we’ve never seen before.”

What’s next for Ohtani?

The Dodgers head to the postseason in October, which will be another first for Ohtani. He never made it there with the Angels, who never won during his tenure in Anaheim.

Another possible first could be the National League MVP award as a designated hitter. No player who played most of his time as a DH – without pitching – has ever won the MVP title, although Don Baylor, Edgar Martinez and David Ortiz have finished high in the voting.

It would be Ohtani’s third MVP award of his career.

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AP Sports Writer Beth Harris in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

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