Shohei Ohtani Reaches Base for 42 Consecutive Games, One Step Away from Tying Ichiro Suzuki's Record

MLB reporter Sarah Langs wrote, "Longest consecutive on-base streaks by Japanese players in MLB history: Ichiro Suzuki in 2009: 43 games; Shohei Ohtani in 2025-26: 42 games (ongoing); Ichiro Suzuki in 2004: 40 games." This record is highly significant. Ohtani is not only a powerful offensive weapon but is now also on the verge of tying the record of "Ichiro the God," who had a career batting average of .311 and was one of the best on-base players in MLB history. Ichiro Suzuki played 19 seasons in MLB, accumulating 3,089 hits and ending his career with a .355 on-base percentage. Ohtani's current performance is legendary; his career on-base percentage is as high as .375, and he is only in his 9th year in MLB. Despite this, Ohtani is still a distance from the overall MLB consecutive on-base record. That record was set by Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer Ted Williams in 1949, who achieved an astonishing 84 consecutive games on base, a record not even set during his peak seasons when his batting average exceeded .400. Williams' "god-tier record" is considered untouchable, but if anyone can challenge it, it would be Ohtani. Ohtani has currently completed half the journey, which not only highlights his current consistency but also underscores the incredible nature of Williams' record. Ohtani demonstrates performance comparable to historical greats every day; he is already recognized as a great player in the league, with no one else able to exert such dominance on both the pitcher's mound and at the plate simultaneously. After he approaches tying Ichiro Suzuki's record, attention will inevitably turn to Williams' ultimate record. The Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto started today, pitching 6 innings and allowing only 1 run on 5 hits, with 1 walk and 6 strikeouts. The Dodgers won the game 4-1. Shohei Ohtani, in addition to being walked in the first inning, hit an RBI single in the third inning and received an intentional walk in the ninth inning. (Translator: Zheng Shi-yun) 1150408