Shohei Ohtani caps historic season with NL MVP award

The outcome was never in much doubt — now, it’s official.

Ohtani was a unanimous MVP for the third time, receiving all 30 first-place votes and 420 points in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was second with 263 points and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte third with 229.

In his first year with the Dodgers, Ohtani became a different type of two-way force.

Sidelined as a pitcher following off-season surgery, the designated hitter morphed into a dual power-speed threat and inaugurated the 50-50 club by slugging 54 homers and stealing 59 bases.

Ohtani, who left the crosstown Angels for a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers in the off-season, also hit .310 and compiled 130 RBIs.

The 30-year-old then led the Dodgers to their first World Series title since 2020 in his first taste of the MLB post-season.

He joins Frank Robinson for Cincinnati in 1961 and Baltimore in 1966 as the only players to win the MVP award in both leagues after earning the honour as an Angel in 2021 and 2023.

Lindor batted .273 with 33 homers, 91 RBIs and 29 steals, while Marte hit .292 with 36 homers and 95 RBIs.

Earlier, Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees was named AL MVP.

–with files from The Associated Press

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