Shohei Ohtani reached an impressive milestone during the Los Angeles Dodgers’ game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, securing his 1000th career hit. At 31 years old, Ohtani launched a 440-foot homer to center field in the third inning, turning the tide in favor of the Dodgers with a 2-1 lead.

Details of the Historic Hit and Game Performance

Coming to bat with 999 hits, Ohtani faced Cardinals pitcher Kyle Leahy, who delivered a 92 mph sinker. Ohtani connected perfectly, sending the ball into the stands to mark a special moment in his career. This homer was not only his 1000th hit but also his 39th home run and 120th hit of the 2025 season.

After hitting the milestone home run, Ohtani took his time rounding the bases, tipping his hat to fans in acknowledgement. His achievement places him among an elite group as the seventh player in MLB history to reach 1,000 hits while also having 500 strikeouts on the mound, a feat verified by ESPN Research.

Exceptional Contributions as a Two-Way Player

Ohtani’s impact extended beyond batting; he also pitched in the game, recording eight strikeouts over four innings, giving up two hits and allowing one run. This game marked his fifteenth career home run while serving as the starting pitcher, a rare accomplishment in modern baseball.

Research from ESPN highlights that in the past 25 seasons, only Carlos Zambrano, Madison Bumgarner, and Mike Hampton have hit more home runs in games where they were the starting pitchers, with 24, 19, and 16 homers respectively.

Significance of Ohtani’s Historic Achievement

Shohei Ohtani’s 1000th career hit symbolizes his exceptional versatility and skill as one of the few players excelling both on the mound and at the plate. This milestone solidifies his place in baseball history and sets a high standard for future two-way players. As the 2025 season progresses, fans and analysts alike will closely watch Ohtani’s continued contributions to the Dodgers and the MLB.