Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani was named the MLB MVP (Most Valuable Player) in the National League’s on Thursday (21 November).
He was voted unanimously by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BWAA). He left behind Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets and Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge won the American League award in a unanimous decision over team-mate Juan Soto and Bobby Witt Jr of the Kansas City Royals.
This Ohtani’s third Major League Baseball’s highest individual honour. He became the second player to win the MVP in both leagues after Frank Robinson achieved the feat (1961, 1966). He is also the first full-time designated hitter to win the award.
“I feel like I won this award on behalf of the Dodgers,” Ohtani said upon being named the MVP by his team-mate and former winner, Clayton Kershaw. “The regular season, the post season, World Series – we won it all together as a team.
“I didn’t go into the season trying to win an MVP. Coming to a new team, I just wanted to be accepted by the fans and my team-mates. That’s how I approached it, especially in the first half of the year.”
Shohei Ohtani won MLB MVP in 2021 and 2023 with his former team, the Los Angeles Angels. In 2024, his first year with the Dodgers, he became baseball’s first player to hit 50 home runs (54) and steal 50 bases (59) in the same season.
The 30-year-old led the NL in homers, RBIs (130), runs scored (134), OPS (1.036) and total bases (411).
Ohtani has also bagged other off-season awards including the Silver Slugger (best hitter at each position), Hank Aaron (best hitter in each league) and Edgar Martinez (best DH) Awards as well as being named to the All-MLB first team.
Also Read: MLB Most Valuable Player: Every National, American League Winners In 21st Century
After being named MVP Ohtani, thanked his manager Dave Roberts for helping him land at the Dodgers for a record 10-year, US$ 700 million contract.
“In a matter of months, it feels like I’ve been playing for him for years. That’s the kind of relationship I have with the manager,” he said. “He helped provide a comfortable environment for me to play in. We worked really well throughout the year and I’m glad it ended on a great note.”
In 2025, Ohtani will resume his two-way role as a hitter and pitcher. The Dodgers open next season in Japan on 18-19 March at Tokyo Dome against the Chicago Cubs.
