Marcell Ozuna, aka Big Bear, continues to add to what is shaping up to be one of the best seasons of his career with the Atlanta Braves, and Friday night was just another chapter in his incredible run.
1️⃣5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ career hits for Big Bear!#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/8W44kLMJKo
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 14, 2024
In the Braves’ 6-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ozuna reached a significant career milestone, notching his 1,500th career hit with a fourth-inning line drive off the right-field wall. The single may have looked routine, but it symbolized years of consistency and determination, marking yet another achievement in what’s already been a stellar year.
This season, Ozuna has been one of the most dependable hitters in the Braves’ lineup, consistently providing offense when the team has needed it most. He’s the only position player from Atlanta who earned an All-Star nod. Plus, he spent much of the season chasing the Triple Crown, a rare and prestigious achievement in baseball, and has even been in the conversation for the National League MVP award.
For Ozuna, 2024 is statistically his best season to date in a full campaign. His .379 on-base percentage, .558 slugging percentage, and .937 OPS (on-base plus slugging) are all career highs in seasons that span more than the 60-game COVID-shortened stretch in 2020. On top of that, he’s on pace to hit .300 and drive in 100 RBIs for just the second time in his career, demonstrating his ability to come through in the clutch and deliver game after game.
But wait, the milestones don’t stop there! Looking ahead, 2025 has some big career benchmarks in store for Ozuna. He currently sits at 273 home runs and 874 RBIs, making the 300 home run and 900 RBI milestones well within his reach next season. And while it might seem like a stretch, Marcell Ozuna could even hit the 1,000 RBI mark by the end of 2025. If he finishes this season with more than 880 RBIs, he could make a run at that lofty target, especially given that he’s previously driven in over 120 RBIs in a single season, back in 2017.
Hitting these career numbers would put Ozuna in a fairly exclusive club. Just 150 players in MLB history have recorded at least 1,500 hits, 300 home runs, and 900 RBIs over the course of their careers. Out of more than 20,000 players who have ever taken the field in Major League Baseball, that’s still a pretty elite group.
While Ozuna’s accomplishments may seem modest compared to some of the biggest names in the game, they’re a testament to his resilience and his ability to perform at a high level year after year.
With a career year already in the books and more records on the horizon, Marcell Ozuna is cementing his legacy as one of the premier sluggers of his generation, and Braves fans have every reason to be excited for what’s still to come!
