Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers star, has been crowned the National League’s MVP for the 2024 season after a historic performance.
The Baseball Writers’ Association of America made the announcement, declaring Ohtani as the unanimous winner of the NL MVP award. This victory marks his third MVP win, with his first two coming in the American League in 2021 and 2023 while playing for the Los Angeles Angels. Ohtani’s achievement of winning the MVP award unanimously more than once puts him in an elite category alongside Frank Robinson as the only players to accomplish this feat in both leagues.
Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets secured the second spot in the voting, receiving 23 out of 30 second-place votes. Ketel Marte from the Arizona Diamondbacks received five votes, while Marcell Ozuna and Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves each received one vote.
In the American League, Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees also clinched the MVP title unanimously.
Despite not pitching in 2024 due to surgery, Ohtani had a stellar season with the Dodgers as a full-time DH. He made history by becoming the first player to achieve 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season, surpassing this milestone with remarkable ease.
By the end of the regular season, Ohtani had amassed 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases out of 63 attempts. His exceptional performance included a career-high 130 RBI, a .390 OBP, and a .310 batting average in 731 plate appearances. Ohtani reached the 50-50 milestone in September with an outstanding game that featured three home runs, two stolen bases, five extra-base hits, six hits, and 10 RBI against the Miami Marlins.
Furthermore, Ohtani achieved a significant milestone by securing his first championship ring in 2024 as the Dodgers emerged victorious in the World Series, defeating the Yankees 4-1. This victory marked the Dodgers’ eighth title and their first since 2020. Despite a relatively quiet performance in the World Series and sustaining a shoulder injury in Game 2, Ohtani played through the challenges and ultimately underwent surgery for a torn labrum.
With the official confirmation of his MVP award, Ohtani stands as the first player in MLB history to combine 50 home runs, 50 stolen bases, an MVP award, and a World Series title in a single season. This remarkable achievement comes amidst a record-breaking $700 million deal and a gambling scandal involving his former interpreter and best friend.
Looking ahead, Ohtani is set to return to the mound next season for the Dodgers, marking his debut as a pitcher for the team following surgery to repair a torn UCL in his pitching arm. While the future trajectory of his career remains uncertain, Ohtani’s exceptional season in 2024, marked by recovery from injury and overcoming a scandal, solidifies his status as a three-time MVP with a World Series victory.