Unanimous yet again: Ohtani wins third career MVP Award
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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.
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.
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“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.”
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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).
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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.
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Though Ohtani put up otherworldly numbers, there were still questions about whether a full-time DH should win the MVP Award. In the past, it was something that was used against players in MVP discussions. Heading into September, Ohtani appeared to be in a tight race with Lindor, who was leading the Mets to a postseason berth as the everyday shortstop.
But in the final month of the regular season, as the Dodgers chased down another NL West title, Ohtani saved his best for last. In the final 26 games of the regular season, Ohtani hit 10 homers, drove in 32 runs and posted a 1.225 OPS, his best mark of any month in 2024. Those numbers helped the Dodgers edge out the Padres for the division and solidified Ohtani’s place as the clear frontrunner to win his third MVP Award.
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“I obviously don’t go into the season trying to strive to get the MVP Award," said Ohtani. "I was more focused on being one of the guys with a new team with the Dodgers. I wanted to obviously embrace the fans as well and let them learn who I was. That was my main focus.”
Ohtani also played an integral part in the Dodgers’ World Series title, the first of his career. He became the first player since teammate Mookie Betts to win MVP in the same year his team won the World Series.
In just about every way, Ohtani’s first season with the Dodgers was about as perfect as it gets. Ohtani hopes to continue making more history along the way.
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“The ultimate goal from the beginning was to win a World Series, which we were able to accomplish,” Ohtani said. “Like I said before, I receive this award on behalf of my team. The next goal is for me to do it again. So right now, I’m in the middle of rehab [from left shoulder surgery] and working out and getting stronger.
“I’m looking forward to next season so we can run it back.”