Shohei Ohtani: LA Dodgers pitcher wins third Most Valuable Player award
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player (MVP) award after being unanimously voted the National League’s star player.
The 30-year-old won the American League MVP award in 2021 and 2023 during his time with the Los Angeles Angels.
The American League and the National League form Major League Baseball, and each league awards separate MVP awards.
Ohtani, who joined the American League Dodgers in December 2023, is one of 12 players to win three or more MVP awards and the first player to win consecutive awards in the American League and National League.
He earned all 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers Association of America, beating out Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets.
“I wouldn’t have been able to win this award without my teammates,” Ohtani said.
“I came into the season not trying to win the MVP award. I was more focused on being a part of the new Dodgers team.
“I also obviously want to embrace the fans and let them know who I am and that’s my main focus going into this season.”
His performance helped the Dodgers win the 2024 World Series, their eighth championship and first since 2020.
During that campaign, Ohtani became The first player in MLB history Hit 50 or more home runs and steal 50 or more bases in a season.
In the American League, New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge beat out teammate Juan Soto and Bobby Witt of the Kansas City Royals for the major award.
