Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani made history Thursday afternoon, and Spectrum SportsNet LA announcer Joe Davis was there for it with the perfect call.
Ohtani hit his 50th home run on the road against the Miami Marlins. He now has 50 home runs and 51 steals, making him the first MLB player in history in the 50-50 club.
“Triple for the cycle, homer for history,” Davis said, setting the scene. “On a 1-2, Ohtani sends one in the air, the other way, back it goes! GOOOOONE! One of a kind player! One of a kind season! Shohei Ohatani starts the 50-50 club!”
Davis then, in the words of legendary Dodgers announcer Vin Scully, “let the moment breathe,” going silent for about a minute as Ohtani circled the bases and went through the dugout.
“Triple for the cycle, homer for history. On a 1-2, Ohtani… SENDS ONE IN THE AIR, THE OTHER WAY, BACK IT GOES, GOOOOOONNNEEE! ONE OF A KIND PLAYER! ONE OF A KIND SEASON! SHOHEI OHTANI STARTS THE 50/50 CLUB!” – Joe Davis on the historic call⚾️🎙️🦄 pic.twitter.com/JxDyNUfzTD
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 19, 2024
Davis had undoubtedly given some thought on how he might call Ohtani’s incredible feat. He got some practice earlier in the game when Ohtani hit No. 49.
“He’s in a world of his own!” Davis exclaimed.
“HE’S IN A WORLD OF HIS OWN!” – Joe Davis ⚾️🦄🎙️ https://t.co/2BR1ZUnZvT
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 19, 2024
Davis didn’t disappoint on No 50, and fans noticed.
Joe Davis won me over forever during the Rangers run. His calls meet the moment every single time. https://t.co/rZaLN9qqvz
— Kenny Bybee (@KennyBybee) September 19, 2024
This is an awesome call. Also, that look on Ohtani’s face when he realizes he should jump back onto the field to acknowledge the (Marlins) fans… https://t.co/Y1N0tT8aS8
— North Side Pat (@ChicagoSoyBoy) September 19, 2024
Ohtani added to his great day in his final at-bat, hitting his third home run of the game and 51st of the season.
“OH MY GOSH! SHOHEI OHTANI! THE GREATEST DAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY!”
“There’s the cliché that you never know what you’re gonna see when you go to the park. You gotta change that cliché from now on. There’s one thing you know you’ll never see- what you saw today.” – Joe Davis ⚾️🎙️ https://t.co/XHue8pgMmU pic.twitter.com/TuFiFXIXi2
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 19, 2024
[Spectrum SportsNet LA]