Shohei Ohtani makes history with unanimous AL MVP vote
Los Angeles Angels’ two-way player Shohei Ohtani officially capped off his historic 2021 season with a unanimous American League Most Valuable Player nod from members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA).
Shohei Ohtani, the pitching and hitting phenom for the Los Angeles Angels, became the 19th player to earn a unanimous MVP vote in Major League Baseball history
Ohtani claimed all 30 first-place votes and became the fifth unanimous MVP since the 2000 season, joining Bryce Harper (2015), Mike Trout (2014), Albert Pujols (2009), and Barry Bonds (2002). Harper was also in the news on Thursday night, being named the National League MVP.
Baseball received a plethora of new fans tuning in this season and many of those were due to the global phenomenon that is “Showtime” Ohtani. There were high expectations for Ohtani when he came into Major League Baseball from Japan in 2018. In 2021, he somehow exceeded them.
“I’ve always dealt with a lot of doubters, especially from my days in Japan,” Ohtani said, speaking through his interpreter. “But I try not to let that get to me. I just wanted to have fun and see what kind of numbers I could put up.”
The Los Angeles Angels may not have reached the postseason, but Ohtani was must-see baseball last season, putting together 46 home runs at the plate along with a 9-2 record, 3.18 ERA, and 156 strikeouts in 23 starts on the mound. Only five other players in history accumulated 45-plus home runs and 25-plus stolen bases in a season. Obviously, none of the others also pitched as Ohtani did in 2021.
After recovering from Tommy John surgery, enduring a shortened 2020 season (COVID-19), and, of course, navigating team struggles since his arrival with the Angels, Ohtani continues to show why he is the Most Valuable Player in all of baseball. In reality, people are tuned in when he is on the mound, and lining up to watch him in person when he is in their town.
He does want to win though, so it will be interesting to see if the addition of Noah Syndergaard will provide the help needed for the Halos to reach the postseason in 2022.
Next. 3 moves for the Angels this offseason. dark
With that being said, Ohtani finishes an impeccable 2021 campaign with exactly what he deserves, the AL MVP award.