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Shohei Ohtani has once again etched his name in baseball history by matching a decades-old home run record, showcasing his extraordinary offensive prowess in the 2025 MLB season. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ standout star, known for his rare two-way talent, exploded in May with an exceptional display that rivals some of the franchise’s greatest legends.
Historic power surge in May
After a slow start to the season, where Ohtani hit only one home run in 47 plate appearances from April 20 to May 2, he flipped the script dramatically. The Japanese phenom blasted 15 home runs throughout May—a feat almost unprecedented in Dodgers history. Before Shohei Ohtani, only two Dodgers legends had achieved this milestone: Duke Snider in August 1953 and Pedro Guerrero in June 1985.
Snider’s record-setting month came 71 years ago, during the Brooklyn Dodgers era, surrounded by iconic teammates like Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella. Guerrero’s powerful June 1985 performance helped him amass a career-high 33 homers that season, a turnaround after a sluggish start.
Shohei Ohtani’s unique versatility
What sets Ohtani apart is his consistency against a diverse range of elite pitchers. In May 2025, he not only matched the power records but also posted a robust .309 batting average, a .398 on-base percentage, and a staggering 1.180 OPS. He drove in 27 runs and scored 31 times, solidifying his MVP-caliber form.
Among the pitchers he homered against were several top talents, including Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara, and aces from the Guardians, Mets, and Diamondbacks rotations. Shohei Ohtani also torched Max Fried, the standout left-hander for the Yankees, smashing two home runs off him in a key series that contributed to the Dodgers’ offensive dominance.
Multi-Home run games and legendary company
Ohtani’s record-setting month included two multi-home run games, including a six-RBI outing against the Athletics’ Jason Alexander, marking one of the best single-game performances of his MLB career. This feat makes Ohtani the 11th Dodgers player to have a game with at least two home runs and six RBIs, joining Hall of Famers like Gil Hodges, Mike Piazza, and Roy Campanella in this elite group.
Twice a 15-homer month
Remarkably, this is the second time Ohtani has reached 15 home runs in a single month. He previously accomplished this in June 2023 during his final season with the Los Angeles Angels. Despite this, the MLB single-month home run record remains Sammy Sosa’s historic 20 homers hit in June 1998 during his legendary battle with Mark McGwire.
Shohei Ohtani continues to redefine baseball greatness with feats that span both pitching and hitting. By tying a 70-year-old Dodgers record, he cements his legacy among the game’s all-time greats and electrifies fans worldwide with his unstoppable power.
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