In a transcendent career that has seen Shohei Ohtani accomplish several firsts as a two-way superstar for the Los Angeles Angels, he added another achievement by receiving all 30 first-place votes for the 2023 American League MVP Award.
Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to unanimously win two MVP Awards. It’s a feat that has never occurred in the NHL, NBA or NFL. Ohtani won his first AL MVP in 2021 and was runner-up to New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge last year.
Texas Rangers teammates Corey Seager and Marcus Semien finished second and third, respectively in AL MVP voting.
With Atlanta Braves All-Star Ronald Acuña Jr. being a unanimous selection for the National League MVP as well, it marked the first time in MLB history the award was won in such fashion for both leagues in the same season.
Of the eight Baseball Writers’ Association of America awards for the 2023 season, five were unanimous selections. In addition to Acuña and Ohtani, the group included Gerrit Cole (AL Cy Young), Gunnar Henderson (AL Rookie of the Year) and Corbin Carroll (NL Rookie of the Year).
Among other accolades Ohtani has received during MLB Awards season are a Silver Slugger and AL Outstanding Player.
While playing in 135 games this year, Ohtani batted .304/.412/.654 with 26 doubles, 44 home runs and 95 RBI. He led the Majors in slugging and on-base plus slugging percentage (1.066), and ranked first among all AL players in homers and total bases (325).
Prior to being shut down from pitching because of a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, Ohtani went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 132 innings. His 31.5% strikeout rate ranked second in the AL.
What team will sign Shohei Ohtani?
Ohtani is the most coveted player to ever become a free agent, and his market is believed to include the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers, among other teams.
Many consider the Dodgers the favorite to sign Ohtani, but he already pulled off one surprise when joining the Angels after being posted for MLB free agency.
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