Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani unanimously wins NL MVP.
The star player for the Los Angeles Dodgers received the National League MVP award on Thursday, outpacing notable competitors like New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor and Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte.
This achievement marks Ohtani’s third MVP title, placing him among an elite group of just 12 players in Major League Baseball history to achieve such a milestone. He secured all 30 first-place votes, making this his third unanimous MVP selection, having previously accomplished this in 2021 and 2023 while with the Los Angeles Angels. Uniquely, he is the first player in MLB history to earn the MVP primarily as a designated hitter, following his elbow surgery in September 2023 that sidelined him from pitching.
Ohtani’s accomplishment also places him as the 14th player to win back-to-back MVPs and the second to receive the MVP in both the National and American Leagues, a feat first achieved by Frank Robinson.
His historic season with the Dodgers justified the record-setting $700 million contract he signed last winter. Ohtani made headlines by becoming the first player to hit at least 50 home runs and steal at least 50 bases in a single season, finishing with a career-high 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases. A standout moment occurred on September 19, when he hit three home runs and stole two bases in a dominating 20-4 victory over the Miami Marlins.
Although he did not pitch in 2024, Ohtani’s performance at the plate was remarkable. He achieved personal bests in batting average (.310), RBIs (130), and OPS+ (190), leading the league in home runs, stolen bases, and OPS (1.036).
Crowning his extraordinary season, Ohtani helped the Dodgers secure their second World Series title in five years. His postseason debut featured significant highlights, including a crucial homer in Game 1 of the NLDS and two homers in the NLCS. Despite battling a shoulder injury during the World Series, he contributed enough to aid in the team’s championship victory.
For baseball fans, Ohtani’s 2024 season will remain a celebrated chapter in the sport’s history.
