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Rays’ Jose Siri Didn’t Know Shohei Ohtani’s Home Run Ball Was For 40/40 Season

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read
Aug 23, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) rounds the bases on a walk-off grand slam home run for his 40th of the season in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

It had long become clear Shohei Ohtani would make MLB history as becoming the fastest player to having a season with 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases.

But how the Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star would make franchise history by joining the 40-40 club couldn’t have been predicted. Ohtani stole his 40th base of the season on Friday night after reaching on an infield single in the fourth inning.

Then with the game tied and bases loaded in the ninth inning, Ohtani hit a walk-off grand slam to give him 40 homers this season. A fan in center field muffed the catch, and the baseball rolled back onto the field.

Siri rose to his feet after failing to come up with a leaping catch and threw Ohtani’s home run ball into the stands. According to Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times, Siri said he was not aware of that being Ohtani’s 40th home run that put him into the record books:

Ohtani found himself involved in a similar situation during April when a fan caught his record-setting 176th home run ball and decided to keep it. The home run was the 176th of Ohtani’s career, which allowed him to surpass Hideki Matsui for the most by a Japanese-born player in MLB history.

The ball was authenticated by an MLB official, which means the fan will likely be able to sell it for a sizable amount if that is the route they decide to take.

Another fan who caught Ohtani’s first home run with the Dodgers agreed to trade it back for a pair of autographed hats, an autographed bat and autographed baseball.

It’s not believed the home run ball that put Ohtani into the 40/40 club was authenticated. Thus, it shall remain a mystery — and essentially not have any value — even if a fan comes forward as claiming to be in possession of it.

Will Shohei Ohtani have 50-50 season?

Given his talent and amount of time remaining, it’s plausible Ohtani becomes the first player in MLB history with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in one season.

A more likely scenario may be 45 and 45, which still would represent an MLB first.

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Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com