Kazuma Okamoto sets Blue Jays rookie record for home runs
It hasn’t taken long for Kazuma Okamoto to make a big impact for the Toronto Blue Jays. Okamoto set a franchise record for most home runs by a rookie when he belted his 25th of the season in the fifth inning off Tampa Bay Rays reliever Steven Matz on Tuesday night. The solo shot to left-centre, which gave […]
Kazuma Okamoto has quickly established himself as a force in the Toronto Blue Jays' lineup. On Tuesday night, the 30-year-old Japanese rookie broke the franchise record for most home runs by a rookie with his 25th of the season. The powerful hit, a solo shot to left-center field, extended the Blue Jays' lead to 7-3. This accomplishment surpassed Eric Hinske's record of 24 home runs set in 2002, the year Hinske was named AL Rookie of the Year.
Okamoto, who was signed by the Blue Jays during the off-season, eclipsed yet another milestone - Shohei Ohtani's record of 18 home runs set by a Japanese-born rookie in Major League Baseball history. However, Okamoto now finds himself in a competitive race with Chicago White Sox star Munetaka Murakami, who has 28 home runs to his name as of Tuesday night.
The all-time record for rookie home runs stands at 53, held by Pete Alonso, who hit a staggering number during the 2019 season.
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