Hold onto your hats, baseball fans, because Shohei Ohtani has done it again! In a move that cements his legacy as one of the greatest players in MLB history, Ohtani has been crowned the National League Most Valuable Player for the fourth time in five years—and this time, it’s unanimous. But here’s where it gets even more jaw-dropping: Ohtani didn’t just win; he dominated, securing all 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers' Association of America. This isn’t just a victory—it’s a statement.
Let’s break it down. Ohtani’s 2025 season was nothing short of extraordinary. Fresh off a historic 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023, he didn’t just meet expectations—he shattered them. After leading the Dodgers to a World Series title in 2024 as the first full-time designated hitter to win an MVP, he followed it up with another mind-boggling campaign. This season, he slashed an impressive .282/.392/.622, smashed 55 home runs (setting a franchise record for the second straight year), and—wait for it—returned to pitching after recovering from a second ulnar collateral ligament repair. Yes, you read that right. He’s not just a hitter; he’s a two-way phenom.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Is Ohtani redefining what it means to be a baseball player? With 14 regular-season starts on the mound, a 2.87 ERA, and 62 strikeouts in 47 innings, he’s not just dabbling in pitching—he’s excelling. And let’s not forget his postseason heroics, like pitching six scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts in the NL Championship Series while also hitting three home runs. Or reaching base all nine times in an 18-inning World Series game, including four intentional walks. This isn’t just greatness—it’s unprecedented.
At 31, Ohtani has already joined Hall of Famer Frank Robinson as the only players to win MVP in both the American and National Leagues. He’s also the only athlete across the four major American sports with multiple unanimous MVP awards. And now, according to ESPN Research, he’s the first player in MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL history to win both an MVP and a championship in each of his first two seasons with a team. Is he the most dominant athlete of our time? The debate is wide open.
Of course, Ohtani wasn’t alone in his stellar season. Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber finished second in MVP voting, followed by Juan Soto of the New York Mets. Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo and Phillies shortstop Trea Turner rounded out the top contenders. Ohtani himself was quick to acknowledge his peers, saying through an interpreter, ‘It’s truly an honor… I wanted to give a big shout out to Juan Soto and Schwarber; they had amazing seasons, as well. They helped bring the best out of me in competition.’
Since 2021, when he fully embraced his role as a two-way player with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani has led the majors with 44.4 FanGraphs wins above replacement (WAR). The closest competitor? New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, with 42.8 WAR. And this is the part most people miss: Ohtani isn’t just winning—he’s redefining what’s possible in baseball.
So, here’s the big question: Is Shohei Ohtani the greatest player in baseball history? Or is he simply in a league of his own? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate that’s far from over.
