Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani unanimously wins National League MVP

It’s the first time anybody has gained the award as a delegated hitter.

That is Ohtani’s third time successful MVP (all unanimously) and the primary time within the Nationwide League. Ohtani is the second participant to win the award in each leagues, becoming a member of Frank Robinson.

Ohtani turned the fifteenth MVP in Dodgers franchise history and the primary since Cody Bellinger in 2019.

It was an entire group effort, I would not have been in a position to obtain this award if it weren’t for my teammates,” Ohtani stated after successful the award. “I am receiving this award as representing the group.”

When Ohtani signed his mega $700M contract final offseason, he was coming off a serious arm surgical procedure for the second time in his MLB profession. Whereas he couldn’t pitch in 2024, he may nonetheless play as a delegated hitter.

There have been some considerations as to how a lot worth Ohtani may convey as a DH-only participant. He silenced these considerations by placing up the most effective offensive season of his profession.  

In his first yr in Los Angeles, Ohtani helped lead the Dodgers to the playoffs while hitting .310/.390/1.036 with an OPS+ of 190. He also led the Nationwide League in house runs, RBI, on-base proportion and slugging proportion whereas hitting leadoff for many of the season.

Ohtani shattered a number of Dodger and MLB records en path to turning into the MVP.

He broke the franchise document for many house runs in a single season whereas concurrently turning into the first-ever participant in historical past to have a 50/50 season.

He did all of this whereas recovering from surgical procedure that might have compelled some other participant to overlook the season.

Ohtani successful MVP is a tremendous finish to what was an unreal first yr with the Dodgers. When he returns to the mound in 2025, there isn’t any telling what different information he may break.