Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has been named one of baseball’s Most Valuable Players for the third year in a row and fourth time overall.
The 31-year-old played a key role in the Dodgers winning the World Series for a second straight year by overcoming Toronto Blue Jays earlier this month.
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Ohtani is a rare “two-way” player, operating as both a pitcher and hitter at the elite level, and was named the National League’s best player.
He is second on the all-time list, behind Barry Bonds who won seven between 1990 and 2004. He won his four MVPs unanimously with all 30 first-place votes.
“If I play well as an individual, that means I help the team win, so in that sense, I hope I can end up with a few more MVPs,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “But it’s all about winning games.”
Ohtani is the first player to earn the honor in both Major League Baseball leagues after becoming American League (AL) MVP in 2021 and 2023 while playing for the Los Angeles Angels.
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In the AL, outfielder Aaron Judge became the New York Yankees’ fourth three-time winner.
Judge, who won the AL award in 2022 and 2024, joined Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle as three-time MVPs with the Yankees.
“It’s hard for me to understand,” Judge said. “It’s mind-blowing from my side, because I’m playing this game to win, I’m playing this game for my teammates, my family, all the fans in New York.
“You have to pinch yourself every day. It’s truly an incredible honor.”
