MLB初 大谷翔平が「43-43」達成［2024.8.31］

ドジャースの大谷翔平（30）がメジャー史上初の「43本塁打－43盗塁」を達成。敵地でのダイヤモンドバックス戦に「1番・DH」で出場し、2回に死球で出塁してから今季43個目の盗塁を決めると、8回の第5打席で2試合ぶりの43号ソロ本塁打を放った。

同日に1盗塁＆1HRをマークして、98年のA.ロドリゲスを超える「43－43」の偉業をついに成し遂げた。

2回は無死一・三塁のチャンスで第2打席を迎えると、初球のストレートが右肘のプロテクター付近に当たり死球で出塁。一時騒然となったが1死一・三塁の場面、F.フリーマン（34）の打席でシーズン43個目の盗塁に成功。「43－43」の快挙にあと1HRと王手をかけた。その後2打席連続三振を挟み、9-5で迎えた8回は、4番手のP.シーウォルドを相手に、3球目のストレートを振り抜くと、打球は逆方向のレフトスタンドへ。スタジアムは総立ちの中、43号を放った大谷はダイヤモンドを一周しナインの祝福を受けた。

ホームラン王争いリーグ単独トップの大谷は、これで2位のライバル・M.オズーナ（33、ブレーブス）との差を「6」に広げ独走態勢に。また、打点は「95」から「96」に伸ばし、自己最高の46本塁打＆100打点（ともに2021年）の更新は射程圏に。

大谷は29日のオリオールズ戦で42号先頭打者本塁打を放つと、盗塁も2つ決めて、史上2人目となる「42本塁打－42盗塁」を達成した。

前日は3試合ぶりのノーヒットで小休止も心機一転。ダイヤモンドバックスとの首位攻防戦の初戦でいきなり盗塁と43号をマークし、史上初の「43－43」に到達。8月は6月の12本に迫る11本目で、シーズン51.6本ペース。残り27試合で2年連続本塁打王、前人未到の「45－45」「50－50」に向けて期待が高まる。

◆MLB「40－40」以上【本塁打－盗塁】
1988年 J.カンセコ　　　　42 － 40
1996年 B.ボンズ　　　　　42 － 40
1998年 A.ロドリゲス　　　42 － 46
2006年 A.ソリアーノ　　 46 － 41
2023年 R.アクーニャJr.　 41 － 73
2024年 大谷翔平　　　　　43 － 43（残り27試合）

　　
■英訳　

Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers, at age 30, has become the first player in MLB history to achieve "43 home runs and 43 stolen bases" in a single season. During an away game against the Diamondbacks, where he played as the leadoff DH, Ohtani secured his 43rd stolen base of the season after getting on base via a hit-by-pitch in the 2nd inning. Later, in his fifth at-bat in the 8th inning, he hit his 43rd home run, a solo shot, marking this historic milestone.

By recording both a stolen base and a home run on the same day, Ohtani surpassed Alex Rodriguez’s 1998 achievement, cementing his place in history with the unprecedented "43-43" milestone.

In the 2nd inning, with runners on first and third and no outs, Ohtani was hit by the first pitch, a fastball, on his right elbow protector, getting on base. The situation momentarily caused concern, but Ohtani soon stole his 43rd base of the season during Freddie Freeman's at-bat, coming just one home run shy of the "43-43" mark. After striking out in his next two at-bats, Ohtani stepped up in the 8th inning with a 9-5 lead. Facing Paul Sewald, Ohtani connected on a third-pitch fastball, sending it to the opposite field for his 43rd home run, celebrating the milestone as the stadium erupted in applause.

Leading the league in the home run race, Ohtani extended his lead over his closest rival, Marcell Ozuna of the Braves, by six home runs. His RBI count also increased from 95 to 96, bringing him closer to surpassing his career highs of 46 home runs and 100 RBIs, both set in 2021.

On the 29th, Ohtani hit his 42nd home run as a leadoff hitter against the Orioles and stole two bases, becoming only the second player in history to achieve "42 home runs and 42 stolen bases."

After going hitless in the previous game, Ohtani bounced back, marking both a stolen base and his 43rd home run in the first game of the crucial series against the Diamondbacks, becoming the first player ever to reach "43-43." With 11 home runs in August, just shy of his 12 in June, he is on pace for 51.6 home runs this season. With 27 games remaining, the anticipation grows for Ohtani to potentially reach the unprecedented milestones of "45-45" and "50-50," as well as winning the home run title for the second consecutive year.

**MLB Players with "40-40" or More [Home Runs - Stolen Bases]:**
- 1988: José Canseco - 42 HR, 40 SB
- 1996: Barry Bonds - 42 HR, 40 SB
- 1998: Alex Rodriguez - 42 HR, 46 SB
- 2006: Alfonso Soriano - 46 HR, 41 SB
- 2023: Ronald Acuña Jr. - 41 HR, 73 SB
- 2024: Shohei Ohtani - 43 HR, 43 SB (27 games remaining)

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