Ohtani's Unprecedented Achievement
Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese two-way superstar for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has once again made history, securing his fourth career Major League Baseball (MLB) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award. The announcement came on Thursday, November 13, 2025, with Ohtani earning the National League (NL) honor in a unanimous vote, receiving all 30 first-place ballots. This marks his third consecutive MVP award and his second straight in the National League.
This latest accolade places Ohtani in an elite category, as he joins Barry Bonds (who has seven) as the only players in MLB history to win four or more MVP awards. Furthermore, Ohtani is now the first player ever to win multiple MVP awards in both the American League (AL) and National League, having previously claimed AL MVP honors in 2021 and 2023 with the Los Angeles Angels, and NL MVP in 2024 and 2025 with the Dodgers. All four of his MVP victories have been unanimous, a feat unmatched by any other player.
Dominant 2025 Season Performance
Ohtani's 2025 season was nothing short of spectacular, showcasing his unparalleled abilities both at the plate and on the mound. Despite returning to pitching in June after an elbow injury, he delivered impressive statistics across the board.
- Batting Average: .282
- On-base Plus Slugging (OPS): 1.014
- Home Runs: 55 (second in the NL, one behind league leader Kyle Schwarber)
- Runs Batted In (RBIs): 102
- Stolen Bases: 20
- Runs Scored: 146 (led MLB)
On the pitching side, Ohtani posted a 2.87 ERA and recorded 62 strikeouts over 47 innings in 14 starts. His contributions were instrumental in leading the Dodgers to their second consecutive World Series title. Ohtani's postseason heroics included being named the NLCS MVP, highlighted by a remarkable Game 4 performance where he hit three home runs and struck out 10 batters over six shutout innings.
Reflections and Future Outlook
Upon receiving the award, Ohtani expressed his gratitude, stating, 'It's definitely special. It makes it special because it was unanimous, and I would like to thank all the writers for voting for me.' He also emphasized his team-first mentality, adding, 'The biggest thing is obviously being able to win the World Series, that's first and foremost.'
The other finalists for the National League MVP award were Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies and Juan Soto of the New York Mets. In the American League, Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees secured his third MVP award.
At 31 years old, Ohtani's continued dominance and historic achievements suggest he may challenge Bonds' record for most MVP awards in the years to come, further solidifying his legacy as one of baseball's all-time greats.
8 Comments
Coccinella
While Ohtani's talent is undeniable and historic, it does make you wonder if MLB needs to adjust how they promote other stars to keep the league exciting. It's an amazing individual feat, but the focus can sometimes be too narrow.
Donatello
Ohtani is clearly a transcendent player, and his impact on the Dodgers is undeniable. Still, focusing so heavily on one player's individual awards can sometimes detract from the collective effort and achievements of the entire team.
Raphael
His two-way play is revolutionary for the sport and he absolutely deserves recognition. However, we should also acknowledge the incredible seasons had by other players like Schwarber and Soto, who might get overlooked in Ohtani's shadow.
lettlelenok
His achievements are truly incredible, especially coming back from injury to pitch so well. However, the sheer volume of his contract and the team's overall payroll raise questions about competitive balance in the league.
Matzomaster
He makes baseball so exciting to watch. Pure magic every time he plays.
ytkonos
These unanimous votes just show how skewed the league is. No real race.
dedus mopedus
World Series and MVP? Dodgers got their money's worth. What a season!
BuggaBoom
Unbelievable! Ohtani is truly a once-in-a-lifetime talent. Fully deserved!