What is the 40/40 club? Shohei Ohtani joins elite MLB group

ByJoe DeAndrea ESPN logo

Saturday, August 24, 2024

Shohei Ohtanireached a historic milestone on Friday night with the Los Angeles Dodgers, becoming the sixth player in MLB history to reach 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases. Ohtani hit a walk-off grand slam against the Tampa Bay Raysafter stealing his 40th base earlier in the game.

Here are the MLB players who have hit at least 40 home runs and stolen 40 bases in a season.

Ronald Acuna Jr. -- 41 home runs, 73 stolen bases (2023)

One of the more recent members of the 40/40 club. The Atlanta Braves slugger capped a historic season with his first MVP award. With the feat, he not only joined the club, but also started a new one: the 40/70.

Career highlights

NL MVP (2023)
Four-time All-Star (2023, 2022, 2021, 2019)
NL Rookie of the Year (2018)

Alfonso Soriano -- 46 home runs, 41 stolen bases (2006)

In his lone season with the Washington Nationals, Soriano matched his all-time high in stolen bases while setting a career high in home runs to join the 40/40 club.

Career highlights

Seven-time All-Star (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)
Four-time Silver Slugger Award (2002, 2004, 2005, 2006)
AL stolen base leader (2002)

Alex Rodriguez-- 42 home runs, 46 stolen bases (1998)

At age 22, Rodriguez showcased both power and speed, joining the 40/40 club as a member of the Seattle Mariners. He wouldn't steal more than 28 bases in a season afterward, but his home run total climbed until the end of his playing career.

Career highlights

14-time All-Star (1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011)
World Series champion (2009)
Three-time AL MVP (2003, 2005, 2007)

Barry Bonds -- 42 home runs, 40 stolen bases (1996)

Bonds wasn't known for just smashing balls over the fence. Before his 1996 season, he already had 340 stolen bases. In his 11th year, after flirting with the 40/40 club a few times, he finally made his membership official with the San Francisco Giants.

Career highlights

14-time All-Star (1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007)
Seven-time NL MVP (1990, 1992, 1993, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)
MLB record 762 home runs

Jose Canseco-- 42 home runs, 40 stolen bases (1988)

The 40/40 club's inaugural member is Jose Canseco, who accomplished the feat with the Oakland Athletics the year he won MVP. Along with punching his ticket to the club, he led the majors in home runs, RBIs and slugging percentage.

Career highlights