LOS ANGELES — Since coming to the Majors in 2018, Shohei Ohtani has made historical past at each flip. He can now add one other historic accomplishment to his already embellished profession.
After posting the very best offensive season of his profession, which noticed him grow to be the primary participant to succeed in the 50-50 membership, Ohtani received the third BBWAA Most Priceless Participant Award of his profession on Thursday, turning into the primary full-time designated hitter to perform the feat.
The Japanese famous person grew to become the sixth participant to win an MVP Award with two franchises, no matter league, since BBWAA voting started in 1931. Of these, solely Barry Bonds and Ohtani have taken dwelling the prize of their ultimate 12 months with one group after which of their first with a brand new membership.
“This MVP, I’m simply representing the Dodgers,” Ohtani stated by way of interpreter Matt Hidaka on the announcement present Thursday evening on MLB Community. “It was a whole group effort. I wouldn’t have been in a position to obtain this award if it weren’t for my teammates.”
Fittingly, then, it was Ohtani’s teammate Clayton Kershaw who introduced the award. Kershaw, who received the NL MVP in 2014, made the announcement, then congratulated Ohtani, who was all smiles amid household and pals. (Ohtani’s beloved canine, Decoy, scampered off the sofa on the pleasure.)
En path to his third MVP, Ohtani beat out Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, who completed second, and D-backs second baseman Ketel Marte, who completed third.
After signing a historic 10-year, $700 million deal final offseason, all eyes have been on Ohtani to carry out. However even with the large expectations, Ohtani was in a position to exceed all of them in his first season with the Dodgers.
As he rehabbed from a second main proper elbow surgical procedure, Ohtani put collectively the very best offensive season of his profession. Regardless of a gradual begin on the plate, Ohtani led the NL with 9.2 bWAR. He additionally led the NL in runs scored (134), homers (54), RBIs (130), on-base share (.390), slugging share (.646) and OPS (1.036).
Ohtani, after all, additionally grew to become the primary participant in baseball historical past to hit 50 or extra homers and steal 50 or extra bases in the identical season. He achieved that feat by delivering arguably the very best single-game efficiency in Main League historical past, a 6-for-6, three-homer masterpiece in opposition to the Marlins at loanDepot park.
Although Ohtani put up otherworldly numbers, there have been nonetheless questions on whether or not a full-time DH ought to win the MVP Award. Previously, it was one thing that was used in opposition to gamers in MVP discussions. Heading into September, Ohtani gave the impression to be in a decent race with Lindor, who was main the Mets to a postseason berth because the on a regular basis shortstop.
However within the ultimate month of the common season, because the Dodgers chased down one other NL West title, Ohtani saved his greatest for final. Within the ultimate 26 video games of the common season, Ohtani hit 10 homers, drove in 32 runs and posted a 1.225 OPS, his greatest mark of any month in 2024. These numbers helped the Dodgers edge out the Padres for the division and solidified Ohtani’s place because the clear frontrunner to win his third MVP Award.
“I clearly don’t go into the season attempting to attempt to get the MVP Award,” stated Ohtani. “I used to be extra centered on being one of many guys with a brand new group with the Dodgers. I wished to clearly embrace the followers as nicely and allow them to be taught who I used to be. That was my predominant focus.”
Ohtani additionally performed an integral half within the Dodgers’ World Collection title, the primary of his profession. He grew to become the primary participant since teammate Mookie Betts to win MVP in the identical 12 months his group received the World Collection.
In nearly each method, Ohtani’s first season with the Dodgers was about as excellent because it will get. Ohtani hopes to proceed making extra historical past alongside the way in which.
“The last word purpose from the start was to win a World Collection, which we have been in a position to accomplish,” Ohtani stated. “Like I stated earlier than, I obtain this award on behalf of my group. The subsequent purpose is for me to do it once more. So proper now, I’m in the midst of rehab [from left shoulder surgery] and understanding and getting stronger.
“I’m trying ahead to subsequent season so we will run it again.”
