Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodríguez added another historic accomplishment to his young MLB career Thursday night, becoming the first player in Major League Baseball history to begin his career with five consecutive 20-home-run, 20-stolen-base seasons.
Rodríguez reached the milestone during Seattle’s 7-4 loss to the Athletics, using his speed to complete the 20/20 campaign in dramatic fashion.
The 25-year-old entered the game with 20 home runs but just 17 stolen bases. He then stole three bases against the Athletics to officially secure his place in MLB history.
The Mariners announced Rodríguez’s milestone through the team’s public relations account on X.
Rodríguez finished the game 1-for-4 with a two-RBI double, but his three stolen bases became the defining moment of the night.
Through 130 games this season, Rodríguez is batting .245 with 20 home runs, 60 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. The latest milestone also continues an impressive run that began when he entered the league and won American League Rookie of the Year honors in 2022.
Over his first five seasons, Rodríguez has consistently combined power and speed in a way few players have managed at the beginning of their careers.
The achievement carries even more weight considering Rodríguez dealt with physical issues at different points this season, including ankle and quad discomfort that affected his running game.
Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
His performance against the Athletics, however, showed that his speed remains a major part of his game heading into the final weeks of the regular season.
The milestone came during a difficult stretch for Seattle. The Mariners entered the final month of the season at 66-75, sitting six games behind the Houston Astros in the American League West.
While Seattle’s playoff hopes continue to fade, Rodríguez’s latest accomplishment gives the organization another reminder of the franchise cornerstone it has in its center fielder.
At just 25 years old, Rodríguez now stands alone as the only player in MLB history to open a career with five straight 20/20 seasons.
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