How was Shohei Ohtani (LA Dodgers) able to win the MVP in the designated hitter position for the first time in Major League history despite elbow surgery. 토토사이트

The official Major League website MLB.com reported on the 22nd (Korea time), "Otani won 30 first-place votes in the National League MVP vote of the National Baseball Writers Association, once again winning his third MVP in a unanimous vote. He has been writing a new history every time since entering the Major League in 2018, and he is able to add another historical achievement to his career." 

Ohtani became the first Dodgers player to win MVP in five years since Cody Bellinger in 2019. He also became the first Los Angeles Angels player to win MVP titles in his first year of transfer to the National League after winning MVP titles in 2021 and 2023. Ohtani is the first to win MVP titles three times in the Major League. 

It's not the only game. Ohtani became the second MVP of both leagues after Frank Robinson in 1996, and became the first MVP since Miguel Cabrera in the 2012-2013 season. Ohtani became the sixth MVP for two clubs since 1931 when voting for the National Baseball Writers Association began, of which only Barry Bonds and Ohtani were honored as MVP in their last year on the former team, and in their first year on the new team. 

Otani said through an interpreter after the award, "This MVP award was on behalf of the Dodgers. It's because of the hard work of a complete team, and if it weren't for the team members, we wouldn't be able to win this award." 

"Otani signed a 10-year, 700 million-dollar contract with the Dodgers, drawing keen attention to every move he made this year. He exceeded expectations in his first year as a transfer to the Dodgers," MLB.com said. "Otani displayed career high performance in this year's offense despite major surgery on his second right elbow last year. He led the bWAR (9.2), scoring (134), home run (54), RBI (130), on-base percentage (.390), slugging percentage (.646), and OPS (1.036)."

"Ohtani became the first player in baseball history to hit 50 homers and 50 steals in a single season. He accomplished this by hitting six hits and three homers in six at-bats against the Miami Marlins at Rondipo Park," he added. 

Ohtani's MVP award is all the more surprising because he became the first designated hitter in Major League history to win the MVP award. "Despite Ohtani's outstanding performance, full-time designated hitter's view on winning the MVP award was skeptical," MLB.com said. "In September, Ohtani had to compete fiercely with Francisco Lindor (New York Mets), a full-time shortstop. However, he garnered 10 homers and 32 points in 26 games in the final month of the regular season, giving him the third MVP award."

Ohtani said, "Of course, I didn't play to win the MVP. I focused more on becoming one of the players with my new team, the Dodgers. I wanted my fans to recognize me and know who I was. That was my main focus." 

Ohtani also played a very important role in the Dodgers' World Series victory this year. He also won his first career championship ring. Ohtani became the first player since Mookie Betts to win the World Series title and MVP title at the same time. "In almost every aspect, Ohtani's season with the Dodgers was close to perfect," MLB.com said.

Ohtani's next goal is to win his fourth MVP title. "From the beginning, my ultimate goal was to win the World Series, and we were able to achieve it," he said. "As I said before, I won this award on behalf of my team. And my next goal is to win again. I'm currently rehabilitating from my left shoulder surgery, and I'm building up my athletic ability and stamina. I'm looking forward to next season."