Shohei Ohtani Becomes MLB's 1st 3-Time Unanimous MVP Award Winner

Shohei Ohtani, the charter member of Major League Baseball's 50-50 club in 2024, is now the first player in MLB history to win three MVP Awards as a unanimous selection.

The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar was chosen as the National League MVP, it was announced on the MLB Network on Thursday evening, November 21. He's the first designated hitter to be named MVP.

Ohtani previously collected American League MVP Awards in 2021 and 2023 when he starred for the Los Angeles Angeles as a two-way player. 

The 30-year-old also became the second player in MLB history to win an MVP Award in both leagues.

Hall of Famer Frank Robinson was the first MVP recipient in both leagues, with the NL's Cincinnati Reds in 1961 and the AL's Baltimore Orioles in 1966.

In 2024, after undergoing elbow surgery in the offseason, Ohtani, a 15-game winner in 2022, didn't pitch. But the pride of Oshu, Iwate Prefecture, excelled with his new team in the first year of a 10-year, $700 million USD (¥100 billion JPY) contract.

Ohtani smacked a career-best 54 home runs (tops in the NL) and added 59 stolen bases (his previous high in stolen bases was 26 in 2021).

"I didn't have specific number goals," Ohtani said, looking back at his spectacular season, according to MLB.com, "but I did want to improve my stolen base numbers."

No player had ever had 50 homers and steals in the same season, and Ohtani thrilled baseball fans as he raised the bar for himself and set a new statistical milestone.

Shohei Ohtani Reacts to MVP Announcement

Speaking through an interpreter on the MLB Network, Ohtani reacted to the news of his latest MVP accolade.

"I'm accepting this award as a representative of the Dodgers," he said. "I wouldn't have been able to win it if it weren't for my teammates. If we didn't play as a team, we would not even have gotten to the playoffs or won the World Series."

Becoming acclimated with and comfortable around his Dodgers teammates was a big priority for Ohtani in his first season with the team.

"I obviously don't go into the season trying to strive to get the MVP Award," Ohtani said. "I was more focused on being one of the guys with a new team with the Dodgers."

He added, "I wanted to obviously embrace the fans as well and let them learn who I was. That was my main focus."

Shohei Ohtani Thrived in Debut Season with the Dodgers 

With Ohtani's potent bat in the lineup for 159 games, the Dodgers (98-64) won the NL West Division title and they beat the New York Yankees in the World Series on October 30.

In 2024, Ohtani hit .310 (second-best average in the NL), scored an MLB-high 134 runs and led all big leaguers in total bases (411). He led the NL in RBIs (130), (on-base percentage (.390) and slugging percentage (.646). 

In voting done by members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America, Ohtani was the top choice on all 30 ballots (two in each NL city). New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was the second-place pick on 23 ballots.

During a conference call, Ohtani explained his mindset heading into the 2024 season, ESPN.com reported.

"My goal was to be able to pitch and contribute offensively, and the fact that I knew I wasn't going to be able to pitch this season just made me focus more on my offensive game," Ohtani was quoted as saying. "Fortunately, I was able to produce and get this award, which is very humbling."

Also Thursday, Yankees slugger Aaron Judge was named the American League MVP, becoming a two-time recipient of the award. He was also a unanimous selection.

Judge clouted an MLB-best 58 home runs and drove in 144 runs (also tops in the majors) while batting .322 this past season to lead the Yankees to their first World Series appearance since 2009.

A Look Ahead for Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani underwent surgery in November on his left shoulder to mend an injury sustained in the World Series. Although he has planned to be a two-way player again, it's unknown if he will be back in the starting rotation when the 2025 season begins with the Dodgers' two-game series against the Chicago Cubs on March 18-19 at Tokyo Dome.

Surgery on his non-pitching shoulder could delay his highly anticipated return to the mound for a regular-season game. 

Coming off elbow surgery in 2023, the right-handed pitcher has worked closely with his team's medical staff since he joined the Dodgers in mapping out his physical rehabilitation plan.

"The goal is to be ready for opening day, and that includes hitting and pitching," Ohtani said, according to the Los Angeles Times on Thursday. "But we are taking our time, obviously. [I] want to make sure I'm healthy first."

Did You Know?

With Ohtani joining the list, there are now 12 MLB players who've been three-time MVP winners. The first to do so was Jimmie Foxx (1932 and '33 with the Philadelphia Athletics and 1938 with the Boston Red Sox).

Before Ohtani joined the fraternity, his former Angels teammate Mike Trout was the most recent player to win three MVP Awards (2014, 2016 and '19).

The Last Word

"Obviously I moved to a new league and everything's been kind of a new experience," Ohtani said, according to ESPN.com. "There's so many great players in the National League, obviously, and to be able to win the award unanimously is a great feeling. I'm very proud of that. Hopefully in the upcoming seasons I'll continue to be able to perform to this high level."

RELATED:

• EDITORIAL | World Series Win Caps Shohei Ohtani's Amazing Year
• A 50-50 Season! Shohei Ohtani Achieves Historic Feat
• Dodgers Superstar Shohei Ohtani Joins Exclusive 40-40 Club

Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.