Crown Him - Shohei Ohtani Wins Yet Another Unanimous MVP, Has Now Won MVP In Both Leagues And Has Won 3 In The Last 4 Years
What a year for Shohei Ohtani. All he did was sign a $700 Million deal, have the first ever 50/50 season, win yet another unanimous MVP. He also became the first DH to win the award and joined Frank Robinson has the only players to win an MVP in both leagues. Oh yeah, and he won a World Series. Not bad for your first year as a Dodger!
What we saw out of Ohtani this season will probably never be seen again (unless he does it again next year). And don't forget he did it while rehabbing from Tommy John. Shohei didn't seem bothered by a single thing this whole season- gambling controversy to start the year? Forget about it. New league and teammates? Didn't matter. Can't help his team on the mound because of an injury? Just stole 59 bags and added on 54 homers. He is already up there as one of, IF NOT, the greatest players ever. He's the most talented player we've ever seen, there is no doubt about that.
Shoutout to Francisco Lindor and Ketel Marte who finished 2nd and 3rd behind Ohtani, but just like in the AL with Judge, there was legit no other option. No one else deserved a 1st place vote, in either league. We saw 2 all-time special seasons by 2 future hall of famers, no doubt about that. Having them meet in the World Series was awesome too, just stinks that neither of them had a good series.
Now we can discuss if he will catch Bonds and his 7 MVPs. I mean why not? If he gets back to pitching next year and hits another 40+ homers, who knows. I just can't stop gushing over the player Ohtani is, like he's a created player in The Show, it's so unfair. I mean he had a 9.2 bWAR and didn't even play the field! The numbers he put up were just stupid: .310/.390/.646 with an OPS of 1.036 and an OPS+ of 190. 190!!!!! 54 taters to go with 130 driven in, 197 hits, 38 doubles, 7 triples, and of course the 59 stolen bases (and only 4 times caught stealing).
Back to back years of unanimous MVP award wins is incredible, but nobody will be shocked if this becomes the standard for Shohei. It's just what he does. It is hilarious that Ohtani has been unanimous every time he's won the award too, no one else is good enough to get a pity vote. Watch him dick around and win a Cy Young next year just to rub it in our faces. I also can't stop thinking about Ohtani having this incredible season, meanwhile Mike Trout has been at Eagles games for 9 weeks singing "Fly Eagles Fly". He was already a hall of famer, but now he's just showing off. Best player of our lifetime.