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Shohei Ohtani Poised to Make History with Third MVP and Potential Unanimous Vote

With the awards season in full swing, Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers is on the cusp of making unprecedented history as he vies for his third Most Valuable Player (MVP) title. On November 12, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) unveiled the final candidates for MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, and Manager of the Year across both leagues, with Ohtani, Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets, and Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks competing for the National League (NL) MVP.

Ohtani’s dominance this season has sparked little debate about his right to the MVP title. The primary question now is whether he will secure the honor unanimously, as he did in both 2021 and 2023 when he was with the Los Angeles Angels. This would make him the first-ever three-time unanimous MVP in MLB history. Additionally, he would become only the second player to win MVP in both leagues, following Frank Robinson’s achievement with the Cincinnati Reds in 1961 (NL) and Baltimore Orioles in 1966 (AL). Ohtani’s feat would be particularly historic, as he aims to achieve this across two consecutive seasons.

Despite being restricted to hitting due to last year’s elbow surgery, Ohtani shattered expectations with an electrifying performance at the plate. In 159 games, he posted a .310 average, with 197 hits, 54 home runs, 130 RBIs, 134 runs, and 59 stolen bases, leading the NL in home runs, RBIs, runs, on-base percentage (.390), slugging percentage (.646), OPS (1.036), and total bases (411). Most notably, he became the first player in MLB history to achieve a 50-50 season with over 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. The value of his performance was reflected in a record-breaking auction price of $4.39 million for his 50th home run ball hit at Miami’s LoanDepot Park.

There is some debate, however, over whether Ohtani’s lack of defensive play might cost him a unanimous vote. While he has successfully laid to rest questions regarding a designated hitter’s eligibility for MVP, it remains uncertain if every voter will give him a first-place vote. The presence of Francisco Lindor, who helped lead the Mets to the postseason, may split the votes.

Regardless of the unanimity factor, winning his third MVP award in just four years of dual-role play would be an achievement matched by few in baseball history. The only player to surpass this dominance was Barry Bonds, who won four consecutive MVPs from 2001 to 2004—a record that remains unprecedented, though somewhat controversial due to the steroid era.

MLB.com highlighted that Ohtani’s season was extraordinary, noting, “Ohtani’s third MVP win is a virtual certainty, and it could very well be unanimous. While no designated hitter has won the MVP before, no designated hitter has ever performed at Ohtani’s level.”

Meanwhile, in the American League (AL), finalists include New York Yankees star Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and Kansas City Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. As with Ohtani, Judge’s chance at a unanimous MVP win has generated considerable attention. The MVP announcement is set for November 22 at 5 a.m. on MLB Network, where baseball fans worldwide will learn if Ohtani will add yet another milestone to his storied career.

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