Shohei Ohtani (大谷翔平) 1st Player To Join 50/50 Club After An EPIC Performance

[@FlippinBatsPod]

Was that the single greatest game performance of all-time?

[@KPD017]

YES!! 🙌🏼 MVP!🙌🏼MVP🙌🏼MVP!!

[@linhe3919]

Yes period!!!

[@bobbarns4516]

Absolutely!

[@LuigiAlva714]

Of course!

[@elguapo6750]

Not a chance! Only because it was an inconsequential game. Had this been pennant winning game or a playoffs series win, then Yes... For me, Reggie Jackson's 3 HR game in the 1977 WS was more important, and therefore is greater.

[@Finedeserthouses]

He didn’t “join” the 50/50 club. He “started” the 50/50 club. 😂 One and only Shohei 🥰❤️ We love you, Ben ! Japanese people appreciate you for honoring Shohei the way you do. 🙏 🇯🇵

[@FlippinBatsPod]

Also accurate

[@PaintingServicesBySteveKaty]

Ohtani also does it with humility and class

[@Ben_Verlander]

Always!

[@ymlee71]

So True

[@stevest8675]

True

[@dorothymcgrew4422]

Astros fan here, I love Ohtani! Great player!

[@BobbyU808]

shohei is the gift that keeps on giving

[@-.TS.-]

Bad day for the Marlins, good day for baseball. I wish I was in the stands and not in the bench - Schumaker. What a legend

[@marksstudio]

The Marlins showed a whole lot of class, that's for sure.

[@FlippinBatsPod]

@@marksstudio FACTS

[@josephya5815]

It’s a good day for the Marlins fans cause they witnessed history in their field and Ohtani made a few people rich! This is probably the best game for the Marlins if you really think about it!

[@Ben_Verlander]

LEGEND

[@terry8451]

Shohei could have a Bestselling book just on just this years performance and life Drama alone.

Ben, you have been predicting his greatness for a long time. Spot on as always.

[@joycemartin-i9g]

i'm writing the screenplay now... shohei, the movie!

[@TTko4KKmo]

The founder and president of MLB's 50/50 club

[@ttman1233]

And vice president, sergeant at arms, and secretary, and treasurer,... and,.. 🤣

[@caelusu]

I was so bummed when Ohtani hurt his elbow last year, but I'm totally blown away by how well he's doing as just a hitter this season. It's insane!

[@duket1449]

That's a blessing in disguise for him to be a hitter for a full season, and the reason for this record. We won't see this again when he goes back to pitching. It's also a blessing for us fans.

[@JeckyJ]

This game is what true baseball passion is about. Marlin fans and even the coach showed their respect for Shohei entering 50/50. So much respect for the coach earned.

[@Adventure_Quan]

Go Ben. I predicted 55HRs and 120RBIs on your podcast at the beginning of the year. Didn't expect 50+ steals.

[@Ben_Verlander]

🐐

[@Paulo-1999]

Bro, forget any of that. He's heading to 60/60.

[@surfwriter8461]

Well, you were pretty damn close, but you obviously blew it by failing to predict the stolen base total. We probably had not heard about how Shohei was working with a member of the Dodgers training staff to master the art of base stealing. He went at it with tremendous attention to detail and commitment. It obviously paid off. His success rate is better than that of Elly De La Cruz, who is very fast runner but also kind of reckless in how tries to steal bases mostly on speed alone. I understand a success rate of about 75% or less is considered cause for putting away your track shoes. I glanced at MLB stats and found that a number of players have poor base stealing stats and are probably hurting their team by trying to steal too often. Ohtani rattles the other team when he's on the bases, which means the pitcher and the infielders are all anxious, which can negatively impact their play. Unlike the belly flop, head-first slide that many use, Ohtani likes to slide feet-first. One thing I notices is how smooth he is at it, and how quickly he pops up paying attention to everything around him.

[@Adventure_Quan]

@surfwriter8461 well said. To be fair, Ben asked at the beginning of the season...how many HRs and RBIs Shohei would have and did not mention Stolen Bases. I knew he would have 50+ HRs since he was focused on hitting this season and would have more RBIs bc he was on a better team. He must have had 35 Solo HRs last year with the Angels.

[@chrisanthony7552]

He's in the playoffs too. Can't wait. He did this in a playoff clinching game.

[@bobbarns4516]

You were right all along! GOAT!

[@yoyojptw]

Ben never fails regarding Shohei😎😎😎

[@Ben_Verlander]

Thank you!

[@jonii5779]

Shohei is Ben's man crush 😅❗️

[@KPD017]

I was waiting for your video, Ben! Thank you for ignoring the naysayers. Those of us that have confidence in SHOHEI’s talent and your narration of his life, appreciate you so much and I know you were cheering loudly as we all were last night. I didn’t think I could top the feeling when he won the MVP for the WBC and struck Trout out but damn last night he outdid himself and I had no clue how emotional I would feel because I’ve also been watching him for four years and it was our night thank you Shohei and thank you, Ben.💙⚾️

[@anthonyhoang5186]

UNBELIEVABLE WOW! I'm a Yankees fan, as the world Just witness history holy crap what a game for Shohei. His Speed and Power is like Lightning and Thunder! MVP

[@user-th9pp1dy8s]

I believe Ben's baseball IQ and character are the best in America. He has always believed in Shohei's talent from the beginning, and even when faced with negativity from others, he has persevered. I respect Ben so much. With love from Japan❤

[@mikelopez4154]

WE ARE ALL WITNESSING "SHOW-TANI" 💯 💙 ⚾️

[@Light-lt1st]

Memorable T-shirts🔥 I'm really proud and happy to see The Great Shohei Ohtani🙌

[@zrpggamer]

Let's go 55/55

[@BobbyU808]

shohei entered the 40/40 club and chartered the 50/50 club in style, the former with a walk off grand slam and the latter with a 6-6 performance with 2 doubles, 3 home runs, 10 rbis, 2 stolen bases and 17 total bases! he's not called shotime for nothing. goat!

[@MrMono9]

I was thinking of that too. And I think this happened as a gift from baseball god for all the extraordinal effort Ohtani has been making for baseball. He has super talented player for sure, but on the top of his natural talent, he made this great path by all his focused effort for everything like training for both pitch and bat, building up his body and this year even focus for his stealing base training. Ah and even training his dog for the first pitch. He accomplishes everything he has been aiming by all his extreme effort and love for the baseball.

[@fhsd1998]

Imagine if he gets to 60/60 by having 1 home run and 1 stolen base each game for the remaining games to end the season. 🤯

[@Rayyang6666]

We are so fortunate to have witnessed Shohai's remarkable journey from 2018 to now, and the most spectacular thing is that the show wasn't ending; he is still writing a new chapter, and even people hav't been recovered from his epic performance.

[@Strawberryknight]

Shohei, not Shohai

[@Ben_Verlander]

Agreed!

[@moonlight1998ma]

The most amazing about him is his mental toughness. With all the drama, hate and pressure going on, he's still standing tall.

[@hd7704]

So true. All other stars fail to maintain mental toughness in order to meet key moments facing them most of the time (just a statistical fact, no disrespect), but it feels like Shohei owns most key moments!

[@Crisp2023]

Ben, I can really feel your excitement ‼️ Thank you for always being on Ohtani’s side.😁 Go Dodgers !!!

[@岸本八郎-z7e]

50/50以外に大変なことをこの試合で成し遂げたことを知りました、おめでとう翔平さん、有難うben.🎉❤

[@Elephant2024-wi2li]

History in the making. Don't know if we will ever see this again. Especially if Ohtani goes back to pitching. But that is a conversation for another day. Cannot say enough superlatives about Shohei Ohtani. Just a once in a lifetime talent. Couldn't be happier for him. Really great guy as well. Look forward to seeing him play in the post-season.

[@ttman1233]

I just wish we could see Trout playing in the post season, too. 😭 I hope his career doesn't end with the highlight being facing Shohei in the WBC in the ninth. 😟

[@Elephant2024-wi2li]

@@ttman1233 Excellent point. I think he still has some good years left. With all of the injuries he has sustained, perhaps it is time to start thinking about getting him out of the outfield. No shame in that. Bryce Harper certainly has not suffered as a result of his move to first base.

[@LL-tc1re]

Imagine the Marlins mgr did walk him and Shohei hit it at Dodgers stadium…a packed stadium…noise would be incredible. The mgr did right for the fans there and baseball. It’s not like the 50th hr was a freebie. The pitcher started him off with a FB then threw a knuckle curve on outside to get him to hit a grounder, but Shohei went opposite field hr. So glad Shohei is hitting to left center again as this is his best version of himself.

[@工藤俊作-h8o]

It's thanks to Mr. Ben's support all the time❣️ You continued to believe…With love from Japan❤️

[@abrahamcornelio3676]

well..he didnt join something never exist.... he created the 50/50

[@pibbles9]

He didn’t “join”, he CREATED the 50/50 club

[@Ben_Verlander]

Great point

[@lighty805]

Exactly

[@FlippinBatsPod]

Excellent point

[@necodas7045]

Shohei Ohtani is the founder of the 50-50 Club and is currently its only member, but it doesn't look like there will be any new members anytime soon.

[@jonii5779]

That's what I say. Can't join when there never was one until HE created it

[@ttman1233]

hi Ben. I wanted to say that in your vid of Finding Shohei and talking about your transition out of MLB, finding yourself and getting to know Shohei's story was an excellent story that really spoke to challenges that we all face. Mental health is a big deal these days, and rightfully so. Thanks to you and your writers!!

[@pacho8210]

I love you❣️from Japan🥰❤️

[@LilyJames-v1k]

Thank you Ben, We love shohei.

[@ashtonturner2862]

Welcome to the Greatest Sho on Earth!

[@high-defRJ]

Even with his historic feat, I'm most amazed with Shohei Ohtani's work ethic, his humility, and despite the status he has as the greatest player in the league with massive contract - which he deserves, he works like he has no interest in lavish lifestyle. He and the Nippon Ham team did him so well, that he was living in the dorms and going out only to play, as seen on the 60 Minute interview. Shohei lives to play baseball, and pour everything into respecting history, opponents, and what it takes to be a great player.

[@stevest8675]

I have watched baseball over 50 years. Ohtani is the best player I have ever seen. Bat, run (stolen base) and pitch. No one can do all 3 great except Shotime Shohei.

[@NandoA130]

Been waiting for this since the second he hit 50/50 😂

[@Ben_Verlander]

YOU KNOW it was coming!

[@ryoM7777]

A Japanese listener here. I'm not familiar with baseball, but I love your positive vibes. I hope you continue your great work! ありがとうございます🥳

[@nsn5564]

Shohei is fairy tale stuff. In my wildest fantasies I could not have dreamt up such a magnificent way to enter the 50-50 club, such a brilliant game, such a historic moment.

[@jsong21]

40/40 on a walkoff grand slam. 50/50 on a literal perfect hitting game. Its pretty wild.

[@Bobowallie]

Shohei respected the way you respected him….Job well done 😊

[@michaellin5107]

I'm expecting this World Series going to game 7 between LA and NYY... Game goes into extra innings and Dodgers run out of pitchers with Yankees loading bases. Roberts brings in Ohtani who strikes out Soto and Judge to end the inning. Then Ohtani walks off the WS with a home run. Impossible? Nothing seems impossible with this guy.

[@1bek]

I CANT SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THIS GUY!! HES AN ICON, PROVEN HIS INNOCENCE, ETC ETC

[@ricksunamoto3099]

Thank you, Ben, for your early promotion of Shohei Otani and your extraordinary efforts to highlight his early development in Japan. Your love for the game of baseball and your admiration of Shohei is inspirational. I loved your story about Shohei being told not to hit home runs into the creek and practice hitting them to the opposite field. By the way, as a child growing up in Detroit my hero was Al Kaline.

[@ScottWengel]

I've never seen this Ben guy, but he gets an instant subscribe for me today for this excellent efficient explanation of exactly what happened yesterday.

[@ttman1233]

If you're a BB fan, you really should watch Ben's vids and DeRosa's breakdowns of Ohtani. They share the love without hesitating to note there's ways to improve. They'll point out things we don't notice. I know, because I only started following BB when Shohei came over from Japan.

[@ScottWengel]

@@ttman1233 thanx for the recommendation. i already liked 3 vids and looking forward to more.... damn, that game last night still feels like a dream.

[@judynelson5038]

Congratulations to Shohei for creating the most exclusive club in Baseball - 51/51 !

[@bradkubota6968]

Ya, everyone is stuck on 50 50. He spent ZERO days at 50 or 50. 51 express baby!

[@NotAllSwtNSourChcknOvaHere]

Waited for you to comment brother! U got mad love from us Asians! Non bias and honest takes. Respectful words from a Respectful man.

[@FlippinBatsPod]

Thank you!

[@lahellight4337]

you called it ben!!! since the beginning!!!

[@Ben_Verlander]

🙌

[@ChowDownDetroit]

And he almost got a triple for the cycle

[@THEMASTER26]

Imagine hitting for the cycle also 😳

[@mikiohirata9627]

Thanks Ben Verlander for this posting ‼‼‼ I truly appreciate your praise/appreciations for Shohei all this time and especially today. I'm with you in the way I got emotional at the end of the game. How could you not ❓ ❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣

[@takawata0710]

Thank you Ben for your heart warming comments from London! BTW, I’m a Japanese！

[@Aloha2Potato]

Ben-san, Thank you very much for your Emergency Shohei Ohtani News❣️ Enjoyed a lot and shared much respects & admires to Shohei. Please follow up playoff as well.

[@Marco-k8q]

ベンさんこんにちは。 この日は、まるでスーパースター大谷翔平によるスペシャルショーでしたね！ いつも大谷選手を応援し、どんなに大谷選手が不振でも批判されても大谷選手の味方してくれるベンさんに感謝です！有り難うございます🙇‍♀️

[@linhe3919]

The greatest Sho 🦄💙🤴🔥❤️‍🔥💥

[@ろぶたろう]

Thanks ben for everytime. ベンいつもありがとう😆 From japan

[@chasinglight6489]

Congratulations to Otani for his historical achievement. Also hats off to the Marlin's manager for honoring the spirit of baseball without any doubts.

[@JC-life-is-good]

I've been saying that the MVP is the most valuable player to baseball and the fans overall. If a player performs incredibly well that year and the fans are coming to see him play, that player is the MVP-not the MVP of just that player's team. The fans are clearly excited about this 50/50 year, and Ohtani is the MVP of this year.

[@Aace00]

Came here for Ben to go bananas, wasn't disappointed.

[@Ben_Verlander]

😂

[@nonay220]

The only thing missing from the game was Ohtani hitting a triple and some Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez, busting the cover off the ball moment😂✌🏼🙇🏻‍♂️🙇🏻‍♂️🙇🏻‍♂️🫡🫡🫡Shohei, you are the GOAT

[@baronvg]

If he had gotten that triple and hit for the cycle along with everything else, that’s it. Greatest single offensive game EVER!

[@FlippinBatsPod]

FACTS

[@n_snafu]

Imagine how many more stolen bases he could have had if he was batting lead off all year. I think he was 2nd in the lineup till mid June behind Mookie

[@joeycard17]

Bro Ben, I live in Miami and went to all 3 games. That 3rd game was INCREDIBLE. I am SO blessed I got to witness such an insane performance. I legit screamed like a female when he hit his 2nd homerun for the 50th of the season 💀 you can see me in the broadcast during the 3rd homerun. I’m upper deck with the Angels #17 jersey on

[@Drazooma]

Ben, Thank you for providing some of the back story of Shohei's journey. Too many other analysts focus solely on the stat lines. You sir definitely get it! What is the name of the manga you mentioned? I'd be curious to check it out.

[@marlrobert48]

I think it is the "Major" by Takuya Mitsuda. And there is an Animé adaptation of it. CONGRATULATIONS TO SHOHEI🎉

[@Ben_Verlander]

Major!

[@hd7704]

We need more honest, knowledgeable, and principled baseball journalists like Ben Verlander. Support him by subscribing to all his channels if you haven’t done it yet. Words are cheap.

[@teddy-ez5zt]

Shohei is more than a regular DH, most all DH are only hitters and averaged 4 or 5 stolen bases. What a 40-40 shows is he's an all around player with speed and power, but with 50-50 it shows Ohtani is above greatness to immortality

[@jackson3579]

Shohei likes big moments.. 40/40 with Walk Off a Grand Slam! and now yesterday to reach 50/50! I am predicting a Grand Slam in the WS final from Shohei! Bigger the moment, better the Shohei's performance!

[@HH8731-p8l]

Was waiting for you to come on. Btw, you need a new Shohei shirt with the Dodgers now.

[@FlippinBatsPod]

We need the Dodgers to make one

[@jonii5779]

😂

[@baconx6476]

When you're a first of anything in an organization this old, that is incredible. That should transcend any kind of team rivalry and everybody should celebrate his achievement.

[@Beyonderfulcrum]

I love this podcast.

[@Ben_Verlander]

I love you

[@markazim4789]

Thank you for your passion for baseball and Shouhei. I’m from Japan but a little weird guy who fell in love with US culture, it’s language and people so learned language and enjoying music sports movies dramas and all over Japanese ones. And baseball was one of them I watched first mlb game on TV live back in 1978 and decided to root for dodgers watching NY Yankees beat it. It’s when don Sutton. Steve Garvey went against Regis Jackson Ron Guidry etc. I went to dodger stadium back in 1982. I’m still in a way rebel and never cheered for any one just bc he is Japanese. So I am a huge fan of Shouhei for his talent. What he has been doing is really a field of dreams (more like Natural) and you make his plays even more valuable with adding words with your passion. Thanks so much and let’s keep on enjoying the great world of baseball! Sorry about a long post cannot help sharing emotion and gratitude.

[@Ben_Verlander]

❤

[@ExileOT]

I love this story. Thanks for sharing! Love from America 🇺🇸 🇯🇵🙏 Japan has gifted the world the greatest athlete to walk the planet. I’m a Seattle Mariners fan and have always loved Ichiro and wore his number throughout my baseball years. I still love Ichiro forever but Shohei is unreal and will change history in a big way.

[@nelsonacastro5474]

Just like that unbelievable entry into the 40/40 club, with a grand slam home run and having reached the 40/40 in the fastest time than those already in the club, GOATANI pushes the bar higher by establishing the 50/50 club in such a once in a lifetime time event. the GOAT went 6 for 6 with 3 HRs, 2SB & 10 RBIs, all the while breaking the previous franchise record of 49 HRs hit in one season. The man is in a league of his own and has gotten in tune with his bat at the right time of the season. Congratulations Shohei, you deserve it and more one last one, earlier this year he reached his career 200 HRs entering him into that prestigious club as well. I’ve been a Dodgers fan ALL my life, for 50 years, and I feel honored to be living this history. I will never diminish the incredible feats of Dodgers before Othani however we are going where no other MLB player has gone before. Let’s enjoy the ride for the sport’s sake and for me personally, that he’s done it in Dodger Blue. 💙💙⚾️⚾️LET’S GO DODGERS⚾️⚾️💙💙

[@Ko1962315]

Thank you from Tokyo.

[@Ben_Verlander]

Thank you from Los Angeles!

[@robbyrob0723]

I with you on Shohei! The best ever!

[@bryantsturgis3333]

This is a great week for anyone in history, but to do this in one game

[@bmw128racer]

Like Vince Carter: "Half Man, Half Amazing."

[@JamesNguyen-fe6it]

great analysis Ben. Shohei is the greatest already.

[@naomitakimoto7295]

I appreciate your enthusiasm and precisely detailed view of who really Shohei Ohtani is. September 19th, 2024 is the day to remember forever in the history of not just only MLB, but the entire world of sports ❤ Congratulations 🎉 and I am grateful forever to be able to witness this history-making moment Shohei gave us all👏👏👏

[@KeepItReal213]

I come to your channel for Shohei content 🔥

[@fated316]

The goat. Couldn’t wait for Ben’s video.

[@dr.denggerous8314]

50/50 Club with 51/51 VIP Room inside 🎉

[@ttman1233]

But there's only one member. What do we do with the other room? 😄

[@polarbear55jp]

Come to think of the fact that even Aaron Judge needed more than 10 games before he hit his 52nd dinger after his 51st, I had thought until the day before yesterday that it would be difficult for Shohei Ohtani to inaugurate the 50-50 club this year. However, my negative anticipation was overturned overnight! Literally, we are watching history!

[@Zagirus]

Ohtani’s legacy is a tale written in ageless scripts, an enduring beacon across time's endless stretch.

[@clubeyxander5132]

In Japan, so many people know who Ben Verlander is while so few people know who Justin is. Crazy.

[@johnt7776]

Thank you for the video. A perspective everyone should see.😊

[@linhe3919]

Love your show and your passion for the greatest player in baseball history 🥰💪⚾️🦄💙🤴

[@Eijianthony]

If you start with Verlander getting in the rotation, im going to flip a bat! 🎉😂

[@ttman1233]

You really should start arranging guided tours to retrace your Finding Shohei vid. It's awesome seeing where it all started. Do something like a one week tour with a translator and meet some of the folks along the way. Coach Kuriyama would be amazing for a little meet and greet, maybe a few minute Q and A session with the translator. I'm sure it would be a sell out tour with lots of bookings. And after watching you, I know you'd do it for the love of the game and Sho and nothing else but to share the story of a dream come true.

[@Mantaracer]

Ohtani THE GREAT!👍⚾💙

[@weshigher]

Shohei homer back-back-back... To end the game. He didn't just get those pitches handed to him. He is locked in. And so anxious for the post season .

[@ttman1233]

Ok - so watching it live, and Shohei just hit #52!😂🤯

[@annunakian8054]

They were charging premium prices for outfield seats. Also was an early start, so during working hours. Most of those fans where the ball landed were just having a good time, don't worry about money. If that happened at Dodger's stadium, there would've been an all-out brawl for that ball, even with premium pricing.

[@coburnboeder2320]

Ben's Shohei blow-up doll is getting some action tonight

[@Ben_Verlander]

Don’t be weird

[@The_Marquis_Of_Death]

One of One

[@bdcdavid83]

Ben speaks from his actual experience with ShoTime. Unlike those who just annotate every game

[@bennynguyen9452]

Sh😮hei 😊htani... congratulations to you, Sh❤ 🎉🎉

[@jaymoreno6955]

Absolutely wonderful commentary! ⚾

[@かずゆきん]

ナショナルリーグ一年目やぞこの活躍。すごすぎる

[@ScottWengel]

I watched about 20 breakdowns of this game already and this is my favorite. it's very concise and simple. this is something you can show your girlfriend or somebody who doesn't follow baseball to help them understand in 2 or 3 minutes.