MVP an any language — Shohei Ohtani is celebrated in a special edition of the Yomiuri Shimbun after … [+]
It’s unanimous. Shohei Ohtani is the most valuable of the Most Valuable Players.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Ohtani was unanimously chosen as the 2024 National League MVP in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America announced Thursday.
While it seemed a foregone conclusion after his historic 50 home run/50 stolen base season — no player had reached both those plateaus in the same season — it was also another step toward legendary status.
With his 2024 MVP, Ohtani became the only player in the four major U.S. professional sports leagues — Major League Baseball, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League — to be an unanimous MVP more than once.
Frank Robinson and Shohei Ohtani are the only players to win the MVP in both leagues. (AP … [+]
He has done it three times. Ohtani received every first-place vote for the American League MVP award in 2021 and 2023, in two of his final three seasons 30 miles down the coast with the Los Angeles Angels.
He joined Frank Robinson as the only players to win the award in both leagues. Robinson won the NL MVP with the Cincinnati Reds in 1961 and AL MVP with the Baltimore Orioles in 1966.
The award culminated a record-bracketing first season with the Dodgers.
Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million free agent contract negotiated by agent Nez Balelo of CAA in December, and he showed the value of the deal by slashing .310/.390/.646 with 54 homers, 59 stolen bases, 411 total bases and a 190 OPS+ as the Dodgers won the World Series.
That Bud’s for him. Shohei Ohtani is doused after Game 5 of the World Series. (AP Photo/Ashley … [+]
“I obviously don’t go into the season trying to strive to get the MVP Award,” Ohtani said through interpreter Matt Hidaka on the MLB Network announcement show.
“I was more focused on being one of the guys with a new team with the Dodgers. “It was a complete team effort. I wouldn’t have been able to receive this award if it weren’t for my teammates. I wanted to obviously embrace the fans as well and let them learn who I was. That was my main focus.”
Stephen Curry put France to sleep in the U.S.’s gold medal victory in the 2024 Olympic Games. (Photo … [+]
UNANIMOUS MVPS IN OTHER SPORTS
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION (1) — Steph Curry won in 2015-16, when he averaged 30.1 points, 6.7 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals for the Golden State Warriors, who were defeated by LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games for the NBA title. Curry was the MVP. Curry also was the MVP in 2014-15.
James (2012-13) and Shaquille O’Neal (1999-2000) are the only players who were been one vote short of being unanimous. The award has been given annually since 1955-56.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE (1) — Tom Brady won the second of his three MVP awards with the New England Patriots in 2010, when he completed 68.9 percent of his passes for 3,900 yards and 36 touchdowns with only four interceptions. The top-seeded Patriots lost to the New York Jets in the AFC division playoffs.
Tom Brady is the only player in NFL history to win a unanimous MVP award. (Photo by Timothy A. CLARY … [+]
Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson (2023), Denver/Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning (2013, 2004) and Brady (2007) were one vote short of being unanimous choices in the voting, which began in 1957. Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers (2011), Carolina quarterback Cam Newton (2015) and Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes (2022) were two votes short.
Manning is the only five-time winner, one more than Rodgers.
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE (2) — Edmonton Oiler forwards Wayne Gretzky (1981-82) and Connor McDavid (2022-23) are only the unanimous winners of the Hart Trophy, which has been given the best player in the league since 1922-23.
Gretzky won nine times, including eight in a row, but in only 1981-82 did he receive all the first-place votes. McDavid was the second unanimous choice, in 2022-23.
Wayne Gretzky is a nine-time winner of the NHL Hart Trophy, but only one came unanimously. (AP … [+]
OHTANI’S SEASON OF FIRSTS
Ohtani latest award is another of his singular achievements. Limited to the DH position while recovering from a second Tommy John ligament replacement surgery in his right elbow, he is the first DH to win an MVP award.
In 2023, Ohtani became the first MVP who spent the season as both a primary hitter and a pitcher.
Some consider his 2023 season the most impressive in major league history. He dominated on both sides of the ball.
Ohtani slashed .304/412/.654 with 44 homers, 95 RBIs, 3452 total bases and a 185 OPS+. He also made 23 starts, going 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA with 167 strikeouts in 132 innings before being shut down in August because of the elbow injury.
Shohei Ohtani has begun rehabbing his left shoulder after suffering a labrum injury in the World … [+]
Ohtani is unlikely to begin the 2024 season as a two-way player. He suffered a labrum tear in his left shoulder injury while attempting to steal a base in the seventh inning of the Dodgers’ 4-2 victory at the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the World Series and underwent surgery Nov. 5.
“The goal is to be ready for Opening Day — that includes hitting and pitching — but we are kind of taking our time,” Ohtani said through Hidaka. “Obviously want to make sure I’m healthy first. We’re not going to rush anything. We’re going to take a little bit more time and be conservative.”
