Shohei Ohtani etched another chapter in his storied MLB career by recording his 1,000th major league hit, and doing it in spectacular fashion. The Dodgers’ two-way phenom delivered a towering 440‑foot home run in the bottom of the third inning, giving Los Angeles a 2-1 lead and securing his place in baseball history.
The blast came off Cardinals pitcher Matthew Liberatore and marked Ohtani’s 39th home run of the season–a power display befitting his reputation. This achievement also makes Ohtani just the third Japanese-born player in MLB history to reach the 1,000‑hit plateau, joining Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui.
Power at the Plate, Precision on the Mound
Ohtani’s heroics didn’t stop at the plate. On that very same afternoon, he also took the mound and delivered one of his most efficient pitching performances of the season. Over four innings, he struck out eight batters (a season-high) while giving up just one run on two hits.
It was a perfect reminder of Ohtani’s dual threat: a consistent power bat and a reliable arm. His ability to excel simultaneously in both roles continues to reshape expectations about what a modern MLB superstar can be.
Despite his status as a superstar, reaching 1,000 hits is no small feat–fewer than 60 active MLB players have done so, and Ohtani did it with a home run, further adding to the rarity of the occasion.
Among Japanese-born players, Ohtani now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with legends: Suzuki, who amassed over 3,000 hits, and Matsui, who retired with 1,253 hits.
In addition, within the Dodgers clubhouse, Ohtani joins an elite 1,000-hit club alongside teammates Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Teoscar Hernández—testament to the team’s batting depth.
The Two-Way Marvel’s Ever-Growing Legacy
Since joining the Dodgers in 2024 on a landmark 10-year, $700 million contract, Ohtani has continued to break molds and rewrite record books. Already a three-time MVP and five-time All-Star, his two-way excellence has elevated him into discussions of all-time greatness.
Last year, he became the first player in MLB history to record a 50-homers, 50-stolen bases season, a true testament to his multifaceted game. His latest feat–recording 1,000 hits with a home run–adds yet another chapter to his ongoing legend.
Elite Company Across Eras
Reaching 1,000 career hits in Major League Baseball is more than just a round number–it’s a benchmark that signals both durability and productivity. While the 500-home run and 3,000-hit clubs tend to dominate historical headlines, the 1,000-hit milestone remains a strong indicator that a player has made a lasting impact in the league.
As of 2025, fewer than 60 active players have reached the 1,000-hit mark, and many of them–like Freddie Freeman, José Altuve, and Mookie Betts—are already cemented as All-Star caliber or future Hall of Fame names. The club also includes global stars such as Ronald Acuña Jr., Francisco Lindor, and Bryce Harper, showing the caliber of company Ohtani has joined.
Historically, players who reach 1,000 hits often go on to accomplish even more. For instance, Albert Pujols had already logged over 1,100 hits before turning 30, and Suzuki, Ohtani’s countryman and inspiration, surpassed the 1,000 mark in record time after transitioning from Nippon Professional Baseball to MLB. Hideki Matsui also reached the milestone after a consistent career split between Japan and the Yankees.
What sets Ohtani apart, of course, is that he’s accomplished this offensive feat while simultaneously logging innings and strikeouts on the mound–an unprecedented dual achievement. None of his 1,000-hit peers have had to juggle the responsibilities of being an elite starting pitcher. That’s where Ohtani’s journey diverges, and why this milestone feels even more significant.
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