Ohtani hits 32nd HR, tops Matsui’s Japanese sluggers record

By: Greg Beacham, The Associated Press Posted: 5:28 PM CDT Wednesday, Jul. 7, 2021

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani has hit his MLB-leading 32nd homer for the Los Angeles Angels, breaking Hideki Matsui's record for homers in a major league season by a Japanese player.

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ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani has hit his MLB-leading 32nd homer for the Los Angeles Angels, breaking Hideki Matsui's record for homers in a major league season by a Japanese player.

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This article was published 07/07/2021 (1912 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani has hit his MLB-leading 32nd homer for the Los Angeles Angels, breaking Hideki Matsui’s record for homers in a major league season by a Japanese player.

Ohtani surpassed Matsui’s full-season record before the All-Star break with his solo shot to right in the fifth inning against Boston on Wednesday. Matsui set the mark with the Yankees in 2004.

Matsui issued a statement through the Angels immediately after Ohtani broke his mark, praising the achievement as “just a passing point for a hitter like Shohei.

Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani, right, talks with Boston Red Sox second baseman Christian Arroyo after Ohtani hit a single and then advanced to second during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

“I was once considered a long ball hitter in the majors, but I believe that he truly is a long ball hitter,” Matsui said. “Furthermore, he is an amazing pitcher. He exceeds what is considered conventional for a major league player, and there is no one else like him. I hope he continues his success this season as he carries the hopes and dreams of many fans and young children. As a baseball fan myself, I can’t wait to see what he is able to do next.”

Ohtani pitched seven innings to earn a victory over the Red Sox on Tuesday night, improving to 4-1 in his first mound start since becoming the first player to be selected for the All-Star Game as both a pitcher and a hitter.

Ohtani hadn’t homered in the Angels’ first two games against Boston, but his shot off Eduardo Rodríguez gave him homers in 12 of his past 20 games, hitting 15 total homers in that span. He extended his own Angels franchise record for homers before an All-Star break.