Japanese star Shohei Ohtani has made history once again, becoming the unanimous winner of the National League Most Valuable Player award on October 17, 2024. This marks his fourth MVP title and third consecutive year receiving the honor. Ohtani joins an elite group as only the second player in Major League Baseball (MLB) history to achieve this feat, trailing only Barry Bonds, who won seven.
The 31-year-old player previously secured the American League MVP award in 2021 and 2023 while with the Los Angeles Angels. His transition to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the offseason has proven fruitful, culminating in an impressive season where he led the NL in several key statistics during his first year at Chavez Ravine. Ohtani’s performance helped the Dodgers clinch the World Series title, adding to his accolades.
Ohtani received all 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, reinforcing his dominance in the league. Notably, he has won all four of his MVP awards in a unanimous fashion. Following him in the voting were Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies, who secured second place with 23 second-place votes, and Juan Soto of the New York Mets, who finished third with four votes.
During the 2024 season, Ohtani posted a batting average of .282, leading the NL with an impressive 1.014 OPS. His power at the plate was evident as he recorded 55 home runs, drove in 102 runs, and stole 20 bases. After a challenging period of recovery from an elbow injury that sidelined him for 1.5 seasons, Ohtani returned to pitching in June. He struck out 62 batters over 47 innings while gradually increasing his workload to prepare for the postseason.
On October 17, 2024, Ohtani delivered a performance that many consider one of the greatest single-game displays in MLB history. He hit three home runs and struck out ten batters over six innings, leading the Dodgers to a decisive victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Championship Series. This remarkable achievement further solidified his status as a dual-threat player.
Schwarber, a finalist for the MVP award, had a standout season of his own, hitting an NL-best 56 home runs and leading the entire league with 132 RBIs. The three-time All-Star played in all 162 games, contributing significantly to the Phillies’ successful campaign, which culminated in a 96-win season.
Soto, who signed a massive $765 million, 15-year deal last December, overcame a slow start to the season. He finished with 43 home runs, 105 RBIs, and led the NL with 38 stolen bases, showcasing his exceptional talent throughout the year.
As the season concludes, attention now turns to the announcement of the American League MVP, with finalists including Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees, Cal Raleigh from the Seattle Mariners, and José Ramírez of the Cleveland Guardians. The announcement is expected later today, marking the end of another thrilling MLB season.
