Shohei Ohtani has done it again! The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar just won his third Most Valuable Player award, this time for the National League. This comes after winning the American League MVP in 2021 and 2023 with the Los Angeles Angels.
Ohtani is only the second player in Major League Baseball history to win a Most Valuable Player award in both leagues. As he said, “I wouldn’t have been able to receive this award if it weren’t for my teammates.” He’s the first player to achieve 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season, a feat he accomplished while rehabbing from elbow surgery.
Over the past 12 months, the Japanese phenom inked a groundbreaking $700 million contract, became the first player ever to achieve 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season, and led the Los Angeles Dodgers to a championship victory over Aaron Judge’s New York Yankees.
What’s more, Ohtani made history as the first full-time designated hitter to clinch an MVP award—all while undergoing rehab for his second major elbow surgery, which sidelined his pitching arm.
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“I’m very happy, obviously, to win the award,” Ohtani, said to ESPN. “My goal was to be able to pitch and contribute offensively, and the fact that I knew I wasn’t going to be able to pitch this season just made me focus more on my offensive game. Fortunately, I was able to produce and get this award, which is very humbling.”
Shohei Ohtani’s first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers was nothing short of a rollercoaster. It began with shockwaves as his trusted interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, faced indictment for embezzling millions from Ohtani in a high-profile betting scandal. But the season ended on a triumphant note with a World Series victory—Ohtani’s debut playoff run capped in storybook fashion.
Along the way, he smashed the Dodgers’ single-season home run record, swiped more bases than any Japanese-born player in MLB history, and became the first designated hitter to lead his league in wins above replacement. Adding to the legend, Ohtani joined Ty Cobb as one of only two players to finish top two in the majors for both home runs and steals.
