Marlins manager Skip Schumaker moments before Shohei Ohtani's 50th home run of the season Photo Credit: Spectrum SportsNet LA
Local NetworksMLBBy Reice Shipley on

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani came into Thursday’s matchup against the Miami Marlins with a chance to become the first player in MLB history to enter the 50-50 club for home runs and stolen bases. And thanks to a spectacular game and a decision made by Marlins manager Skip Schumaker, he was able to do just that.

Ohtani came into the game with 48 home runs and 49 stolen bases, making it quite improbable on paper that he would indeed be able to enter the 50-50 club during Thursday’s contest.

But Ohtani perhaps has the best game of his career on Thursday, which truly says a lot considering how unbelievable he has been throughout his seven-year tenure in the MLB.

After reaching base on his first at-bat of the game, he would steal third base to reach 50 stolen bases for the year. Later in the game, he would hit his 49th home run of the season, putting himself just one home run shy of joining the 50-50 club.

By the time Ohtani came to the plate for the fifth time in the game in the top of the seventh inning, Ohtani was in the midst of a 4-4 day with five RBIs and two stolen bases.

Clearly, something special was in the air in Miami on Thursday night when it came to Ohtani. And Skip Schumaker was not going to step in the way of Ohtani making history.

As Ohtani walked up to the plate, the Dodgers broadcast team discussed the possibility of the Marlins intentionally walking Ohtani, as there was a base open to put him with a runner on second. And it seemed like someone in the Marlins dugout brought up that possibility to Schumaker.

But instead, Schumaker could be seen saying “f*** that” in response to the option of intentionally walking him, which Dodgers play-by-play voice Joe Davis noticed on the broadcast.

“First base is open,” said Davis. “Let’s see if Skip Schumaker… He said blank that. He’s going after him.”

The rest as they say is history. Ohtani would go on to take Marlins reliever Mike Baumann deep for a two-run home run for his 50th of the year and his second of the game, with a great call from Joe Davis to boot.

It seemed like Schumaker actually said, “F*** that, I’ve got too much respect for this guy for that s*** to happen.” before Ohtani walked up to the plate.

Naturally, baseball fans are quite appreciative of Schumaker giving Ohtani his moment in a rather meaningless game for the Marlins that was already well out of reach for them.

[CJ Fogler on X]

About Reice Shipley

Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.

View all posts by Reice Shipley