Surge in Ohtani-mania after historic 50-50 feat

Japan erupted in cheers on Sept 20, a day after national hero Shohei Ohtani blasted his way into Major League Baseball (MLB) history as the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season.

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"Ohtani-san" was the top trending topic on X in the country, and chief government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi lauded the Los Angeles Dodgers star's "amazing achievement" in inaugurating baseball's 50-50 club with a six-hit, three-homer game.

"We would like to express heartfelt congratulations on achievement of this major record," he told reporters.

"We look forward to seeing more great things from Ohtani, who has already achieved so much and broken new ground."

Ohtani, 30, came into the game on Sept 19 needing one stolen base and two home runs to achieve the feat, a first in the 148-year history of the MLB. He ended with 51 each in the 20-4 rout of the Miami Marlins.