Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani launched his fifth home run of the campaign early into Sunday’s showdown against the New York Mets, and it was a record-setting swing for the 29-year-old.
Ohtani’s 176th career home run saw him become MLB’s all-time leader for home runs hit by a Japanese-born player, surpassing the previous record holder Hideki Matsui, who hit 175 homers across a 10-year career with the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels and Tampa Bay Rays.
The third-inning home run, a two-run shot which traveled a staggering 423-feet off of Mets’ right-hander Adrian Houser, cemented his place in league history.
Shohei's record-breaking 176th homer was a sight to see. pic.twitter.com/hHJEk4i9IP
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 21, 2024
Back in 2021, Ohtani broke the record for most home runs in a single season by a Japanese-born player, a piece of history also previously owned by Matsui who clubbed 34 in 2004. Ohtani homered 46 times in ’21, the most of his career.
Of Ohtani’s 176 career home runs, 171 were as a member of the Angels, and 129 have come over the last four seasons.
