What Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani did during the 2021 MLB season was nothing short of extraordinary.
Despite playing for a losing team, he was among the best hitters and pitchers in the game. That’s not hyperbole. And it brought back memories of a bygone era in baseball when stars both hit and pitched.
It also led to Ohtani earning the American League MVP award in unanimous fashion on Thursday.
The 27-year-old Shohei Ohtani did things that we didn’t think were possible in modern baseball. It was also represented in the voting with the Japanese sensation earning all 30 first-place votes. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. came in second with 29 second-place votes and one third-place vote. His teammate, Marcus Semien, received 24 third-place votes. The top five was rounded out by Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees and Houston Astros star Carlos Correa.
Shohei Ohtani wins MVP with amazing statistical season
- Hitting: .257 average, 46 homers, 100 RBI, .965 OPS
- Pitching: 9-2 record, 3.18 ERA, 156 strikes, 1.09 WHIP
Ohtani was able to win the MVP despite his Angels finishing with a 77-85 record. However, he definitely earned the honor.
Interestingly enough, neither MVP from the 2021 MLB season played for a team that earned a spot in the playoffs. Earlier on Thursday, Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies earned the NL version of the award.