Shohei Ohtani and Ronald Acuña Jr Emerge as Unanimous MLB MVPs
Shohei Ohtani and Ronald Acuña Jr were unanimously named MLB MVPs by the Baseball Writers' Association of America Ohtani, a two-way star in the American League, and Acuña Jr, an outfielder in the National League, both received all 30 first-place votes
Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese two-way star, and Ronald Acuña Jr., the Atlanta Braves outfielder, were unanimously selected as the Most Valuable Players by the Baseball Writers Association of America on Thursday night. Both players received all 30 first-place votes in their respective leagues.
Ohtani has made history by becoming the first player to win the unanimous American League MVP title twice. He joins Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera as the only foreign-born players to achieve multiple MVP wins. Ohtani secured a total of 420 points, surpassing his Texas Rangers counterparts Corey Seager with 264 points and Marcus Semien with 216 points.
"Last year, I had hoped for a victory, but (Aaron) Judge had an exceptional season and rightly earned the win. Therefore, this year, I was determined to return stronger and strive for success," Ohtani expressed through an interpreter on MLB Network. "I must acknowledge that my competitors, Semien and Seager, had outstanding seasons and deserve congratulations for winning the World Series. It's truly remarkable.
"My objective was to emerge victorious, and I suppose all my hard work has paid off."
American League sensation
Ohtani, 29, led the American League in home runs with 44, and the major leagues in OPS at 1.066 while sporting a .304 batting average and 20 stolen bases.
Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani throws a pitch against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at PETCO Park on July 4.
Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images
MLB two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani entering uncharted waters on brink of record-breaking contract
After finishing with a 10-5 record and 3.14 ERA in 23 starts for the Los Angeles Angels, the three-time All-Star pitcher suffered a tear in his ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow in August. Ohtani, who has played for the Angels since joining the major leagues in 2018, is now an upcoming highly sought-after free agent this offseason. His contract with the Angels has expired, and it was projected that the two-time MVP would command a contract worth over $500 million, equivalent to approximately $50 million per year, according to the New York Post.
Senior circuit star
Acuña, on the other hand, claimed his inaugural NL MVP award following an extraordinary season. He remarkably achieved 41 home runs and led the entire league with an outstanding 73 stolen bases. As a result, he became only the sixth player in the history of Major League Baseball to join the prestigious 40-40 club. Moreover, Acuña's unprecedented performance also earned him the titles of being the sole member of the 40-50, 40-60, and 40-70 clubs. It is worth noting that no other player had ever recorded more than 46 steals in a season with over 40 home runs prior to Acuña's remarkable feat.
In Atlanta, Georgia, on September 27, 2023, Ronald Acuña Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves was captured smiling as he received a Gatorade bath during an interview. This joyful moment followed the Braves' 6-5 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Truist Park. Notably, Acuña Jr. achieved two milestones during the game by recording his 69th and 70th steals, making him the first player in MLB history to hit 40 home runs and steal 70 bases in a single season. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images)
Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images
Atlanta Braves slugger Ronald Acuña Jr. becomes the first player in MLB history to join the 40-70 club
Acuña, in addition, topped the charts in the majors, recording 149 runs, 217 hits, an on-base percentage of .416, and a 1.012 OPS. "I am truly delighted and honored to be here alongside my family," Acuña expressed in Spanish on MLB Network, while surrounded by loved ones and friends. "I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the fans in Venezuela and Latin America for their unwavering support since the beginning. Words fail me, I am incredibly thrilled and content, and I sincerely pray that with God's grace, my upcoming season surpasses the success of the previous one."
Acuña won his first career MVP award with 420 points, surpassing Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who earned 270 and 227 points respectively.
Thursday marked a historic moment as two players were unanimously chosen as MVPs by the writers association in the same season, a first since 1931.
