What is the 40/40 club? Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani hits walk-off grand slam to join MLB greats

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Shohei Ohtani made history on Friday night, August 23, securing his place among the baseball greats by joining MLB's exclusive 40/40 club in a truly dramatic fashion.

Ohtani not only hit his 40th home run of the season but did so with a walk-off grand slam that led the Los Angeles Dodgers to a thrilling 7-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, as per ESPN.

The moment was made even more remarkable as this milestone homer came in the bottom of the ninth inning, sealing the win and etching Ohtani’s name in the annals of MLB history.

Shohei Ohtani joins prestigious 40/40 club in truly dramatic fashion

Earlier in the game, Ohtani also stole his 40th base, further showcasing his extraordinary dual-threat capabilities.

He reached on an infield single at the start of the fourth inning and promptly stole second base during Freddie Freeman's at-bat.

This combination of power and speed is a rare feat in baseball, with Ohtani becoming the fastest player in MLB history to achieve the 40-40 milestone, doing so in just 126 games.

The previous record was held by Alfonso Soriano, who reached the mark in 147 games while playing for the Washington Nationals in 2006.

Ohtani’s accomplishment makes him only the sixth player in MLB history to join the 40/40 club and the first Dodger ever to do so.

"It's really more about the winning. Obviously the record is part of the process, but I think the most important thing is about winning the game," Ohtani said through an interpreter after the game.

The grand slam that brought Ohtani his 40th home run was the first walk-off homer of his career and marked his third grand slam overall.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was in awe of the moment, describing it as "storybook."

He added, "40-40 on the same night... I don't know if that's ever been done, and then he wins it with a grand slam. He's definitely known for the dramatics, and this was something I'll remember for a long time."

Ohtani's 389-foot shot broke a 3-3 tie, igniting a wave of celebration among the 45,556 fans at Dodger Stadium. The ball, which was chased by Rays center fielder Jose Siri and bounced back onto the field, was unfortunately thrown into the stands, meaning Ohtani did not get to keep the historic keepsake.

Despite this, the moment was unforgettable, and Ohtani was given a curtain call as the crowd roared in approval. Teammates Miguel Rojas and Tesocar Hernandez added to the celebration by soaking Ohtani with water on the field, marking the occasion with a joyful display of camaraderie.

Ohtani's remarkable achievement places him alongside some of baseball’s most iconic names. He joins Soriano, Ronald Acuña Jr, Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, and Jose Canseco in the 40/40 club.

The 40/40 Club recognizes players who demonstrate exceptional power and speed in a single season. It includes those who achieve the rare feat of hitting at least 40 home runs while also stealing 40 or more bases.

Shohei Ohtani's historic achievement sparks outpouring of admiration online

The news of Ohtani’s historic achievement quickly spread across the internet, with fans expressing their admiration for the superstar.

One user on X expressed their excitement, saying, "We're all so blessed to be able to witness Shohei Ohtani." Another fan remarked on the significance of the moment, stating, "Walk off Gland slam 40-40 club Ohtani is best of best."

The sentiment was echoed by a third user who wrote, "This is the greatest era to be a Dodgers fan. I'm sooooooooooooo blessed & here for it!" A fourth fan highlighted the historical significance, writing, "THE FIRST DODGER IN FRANCHISE HISTORY?!?! I LOVE HIM SO MUCH."

The praise continued with a fifth fan declaring, "We're all so blessed to be able to witness Shohei Ohtani... the living legend." Another user marveled at the achievement, stating, "Ohtani Makes History. Unbelievable Talent."

As the buzz around Ohtani’s performance grew, a seventh user summed up the night perfectly: "What an incredible achievement! Ohtani’s walk-off grand slam and joining the 40/40 club is a historic moment for the Dodgers!"

Finally, an eighth user captured the widespread admiration for Ohtani’s talent, saying, "Calling Ohtani a generational talent would be putting it lightly."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.