Ohtani wins unanimous MVP after historic first season with Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers’ superstar Shohei Ohtani is the 2024 National League Most Valuable Player.

It was a unanimous decision to award the Japanese phenom the 2024 MVP, and in doing so, create another historic moment as he becomes the first full-time designated hitter to win it.

Cementing his legacy as one of the game’s greatest players, Ohtani’s first season as a member of the Dodgers will be remembered as one of the most accomplished single seasons in sports history.

He became the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in the same season, finishing with a .310 batting average, 54 home runs, 130 RBIs, and 59 stolen bases. His 1.036 OPS led the National League and was second in all of baseball behind presumptive AL MVP Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees.

The Dodgers signed Ohtani to a record-setting $700 million deal last December, and he immediately delivered on his monumental contract.

In addition to his incredible regular-season numbers, Ohtani played a pivotal role in leading the Dodgers to their first World Series title since 2020. The Dodgers defeated the Yankees in five games, with Ohtani providing key hits throughout the postseason, including a home run in his first-ever playoff game.

While injuries kept him from reaching his regular season greatness, Ohtani’s still delivered playoff heroics and helped silence any remaining doubters.

His unanimous selection as NL MVP follows three previous AL MVP awards, making him the only player in MLB history to achieve such a feat across both leagues.

Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets finished second in MVP voting, while Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte placed third.

After finally making the playoffs and winning a championship in his first year with the Dodgers, Ohtani is poised to return to the mound in 2025 as the game’s most electrifying two-way player.