Unanimous yet again: Ohtani wins third career MVP Award
LOS ANGELES — Since coming to the Majors in 2018, Shohei Ohtani has made history at every turn. He can now add another historic accomplishment to his already decorated career.
After posting the best offensive season of his career, which saw him become the first player to reach the 50-50 club, Ohtani won the third BBWAA Most Valuable Player Award of his career on Thursday, becoming the first full-time designated hitter to accomplish the feat.
All-time MVP winners
Ohtani, who is the first Dodger to win the award since Cody Bellinger in 2019, was chosen unanimously for the third time in his career, becoming the first player to do so. He joined Frank Robinson as the only players to win at least one MVP Award in both leagues and is the first back-to-back winner since Miguel Cabrera in 2012-13.
The Japanese superstar became the sixth player to win an MVP Award with two franchises, regardless of league, since BBWAA voting began in 1931. Of those, only Barry Bonds and Ohtani have taken home the prize in their final year with one team and then in their first with a new club.
Shohei Ohtani reacts to being named NL MVP
“This MVP, I’m just representing the Dodgers,” Ohtani said through interpreter Matt Hidaka on the announcement show Thursday night on MLB Network. “It was a complete team effort. I wouldn’t have been able to receive this award if it weren’t for my teammates.”
Shohei Ohtani on winning BBWAA NL MVP
Fittingly, then, it was Ohtani’s teammate Clayton Kershaw who announced the award. Kershaw, who won the NL MVP in 2014, made the announcement, then congratulated Ohtani, who was all smiles amid family and friends. (Ohtani’s beloved dog, Decoy, scampered off the couch at the excitement.)
En route to his third MVP, Ohtani beat out Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, who finished second, and D-backs second baseman Ketel Marte, who finished third.
After signing a historic 10-year, $700 million deal last offseason, all eyes were on Ohtani to perform. But even with the massive expectations, Ohtani was able to exceed them all in his first season with the Dodgers.
As he rehabbed from a second major right elbow surgery, Ohtani put together the best offensive season of his career. Despite a slow start at the plate, Ohtani led the NL with 9.2 bWAR. He also led the NL in runs scored (134), homers (54), RBIs (130), on-base percentage (.390), slugging percentage (.646) and OPS (1.036).
Shohei Ohtani thanks fans after winning MVP
Ohtani, of course, also became the first player in baseball history to hit 50 or more homers and steal 50 or more bases in the same season. He accomplished that feat by delivering arguably the best single-game performance in Major League history, a 6-for-6, three-homer masterpiece against the Marlins at loanDepot park.