Shohei Ohtani Extends On-Base Streak, Nears Ichiro's Record

The Dodgers superstar continues to make history as he approaches a legendary MLB mark.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 1:39am

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Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani has extended his on-base streak to 40 consecutive games, tying the second-longest on-base streak for a Japanese-born player in MLB history held by Ichiro Suzuki. Despite a slow start offensively this season, Ohtani has still been getting on base at a historic rate, showcasing his elite abilities as both a hitter and pitcher.

Why it matters

Ohtani's ability to excel at both hitting and pitching at an elite level is unprecedented in modern baseball. His pursuit of Ichiro's on-base record demonstrates his consistency and highlights how he continues to make history, even when not at his absolute best offensively.

The details

Ohtani didn't hit his first home run of the 2026 season until April 3, but he quickly followed it up with a second homer on April 4 against the Washington Nationals. While his power numbers may have started slowly, Ohtani has still managed to get on base in every game this season, extending his on-base streak to 40 games dating back to the end of the 2025 campaign.

  • Ohtani extended his on-base streak to 40 consecutive games on April 4, 2026.
  • The record for longest on-base streak by a Japanese-born MLB player is 43 games, set by Ichiro Suzuki in 2009.

The players

Shohei Ohtani

A two-way superstar for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani is one of the best players in baseball as both a hitter and pitcher.

Ichiro Suzuki

A Hall of Fame outfielder who played for the Seattle Mariners, Ichiro holds the MLB record for longest on-base streak by a Japanese-born player at 43 games.

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What they’re saying

“Shohei Ohtani extended his on-base streak to 40 consecutive games. Japanese-born players with the longest on-base streaks in MLB history: Ichiro Suzuki: 43 (2009), Ichiro Suzuki: 40 (2004), Shohei Ohtani: 40 (2025-2026).”

— Francys Romero, Writer

What’s next

Ohtani will look to surpass Ichiro's record of 43 consecutive games reaching base as the Dodgers continue their season.

The takeaway

Shohei Ohtani's ability to excel as both a dominant pitcher and one of the best hitters in baseball is unparalleled. Even when not at his best offensively, he continues to make history and approach legendary MLB milestones, showcasing his unique talents and cementing his status as one of the greatest players of his generation.