Ohtani, Judge, Wins MVP Award | News, Sports, Vacancies

FILE – Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers smiles after reaching first base with the help of Colorado Rockies reliever Seth Halvorsen in the eighth inning of a baseball game, Sept. 29, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani continues to set records even after the season ends.

The Los Angeles Dodgers star added a third Most Valuable Player award to his collection and his first in the National League when he was a unanimous selection by the Baseball Writers Association of America on Thursday. Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees won the American League award for the second time, also unanimously.

Ohtani became the first two-time unanimous MVP last year. He won AL honors in 2021 and 2023 as a two-way star for the Los Angeles Angels and finished second to Judge in the 2022 voting.

He sat out 2024 due to elbow surgery and signed a record 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers last December. Ohtani became the first player to hit 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season and then helped the Dodgers beat the Yankees in the World Series.

“The fact that I knew I wouldn’t be able to serve this season made me focus more on my attacking game and luckily I was able to perform and win this award.” Ohtani said through a translator.

Ohtani sat on a red couch with his wife and dog Deka as teammate Clayton Kershaw announced the award on MLB Network. The Nederlan Kooikerhondje immediately jumped back.

Ohtani received all 30 first place votes and 420 points. New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was second with 263 and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte was third with 229.

For the first time, a judge was chosen unanimously. Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. received all 30 second-place votes, scoring 270 points, and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto was third with 21 third-place votes and 229 points.

Ohtani hit .310, stole 59 bases, and led the NL with 54 homers and 130 RBIs solely as a designated hitter, becoming the first player with 50 or more homers and 50 or more stolen bases in a season.

The highlight of the season was the dog days.

Ball in mouth, Decoy threw the ceremonial first pitch to his owner at home plate at Dodger Stadium before the Aug. 28 game against Baltimore.

“The most nervous game I had, the most nervous I was when we made Bait throw out the first pitch,” – he said.

Ohtani played the final three games of the World Series with a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Still recovering from right elbow surgery in September 2023, Ohtani had another surgery on Nov. 5 to repair his shoulder, worked on his range of motion and began working on his core and lower body on Thursday.

“The goal is to be ready for opening day, including hitting and pitching.” – said Ohtani. “But we’re kind of in no rush.”

When Ohtani resumes pitching, could he win the MVP and Cy Young Award in the same year?

“Obviously that would be great, but right now I’m focused on getting back healthy, getting stronger, getting back on the mound and showing everyone what I can do.” – said Ohtani.

Ohtani became the first leadoff hitter and the first player to not play defense in an inning to win MVP. His season began with the revelation that Ippei’s longtime translator and friend Mizuhara stole nearly $17 million from the star to finance gambling.

Ohtani became the 12th player with three or more MVPs, joining Barry Bonds (seven) and Jimmy Foxx, Joe DiMaggio, Stan Musial, Roy Campanella, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Mike Schmidt, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols and Mike Trout ( three each). ).

Voting took place before the postseason.

“I think we have a target behind us now” – said Ohtani. “The expectation is that we might even do — maybe even do more.”

Judge led the major leagues with 58 homers, 144 RBIs and 133 walks while hitting .322. Witt led the major leagues with a .332 batting average, hitting 32 homers with 31 stolen bases and 109 RBIs. Soto batted .288 with 41 homers and 109 RBIs.

When Judge won his first MVP award in 2022, he received 28 first-place votes, while Ohtani received the other two. Judge discussed the MVP award with Philadelphia’s Bryce Harper, the 2015 and ’21 National League winner.

“I was telling him, ‘Man, I’m going to try to catch you with these MVPs here, man.'” The judge reminded. “He would say hopefully he can stay a couple ahead of me, which I think he will do.”

When Judge won his first MVP award in 2022, he received 28 first-place votes, while Ohtani received the other two. He became the Yankees’ 22nd MVP winner, four more than any other team.

Judge hit .207 with six homers and 18 RBIs in April, then hit .352 with 52 homers and 126 RBIs in 127 games.

“March and April have not been my friends this year.” The judge said. “Just keep working and things will change. You can’t mope. You can’t feel sorry for yourself. Especially in New York, no one will feel sorry for you. So you just have to go out there and put up the numbers.”

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