Getty Images
In an unprecedented event in the award’s 92-year history, Shohei Ohtani and Ronald Acuna Jr. secured the Most Valuable Player title in their respective leagues in a unanimous vote on Thursday.
Ohtani’s Two-Way Excellence
Ohtani, a free agent renowned for his remarkable two-way skills, became the first player to achieve unanimous MVP status twice, having done so previously in 2021. Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, the star middle infielders from the Texas Rangers, claimed the second and third spots in the American League.
The Los Angeles Angels’ Ohtani garnered all 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, even though he didn’t pitch for most of the last two months of the season. In a unique celebration, Ohtani high-fived a puppy that sat on his lap throughout the announcement.
Ohtani’s Statistical Achievements
Ohtani, at 29, led the major leagues with 9.0 FanGraphs wins above replacement. Both as a pitcher and an offensive player, he showcased excellence, leading the AL in home runs and the majors in OPS. Additionally, he stole 20 bases. In pitching, Ohtani went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA, accumulating 167 strikeouts in 132 innings.
Acuna Jr.’s Dynamic Performance
On the National League side, Atlanta Braves’ dynamic right fielder, Ronald Acuna Jr., secured his first MVP title, outperforming Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who claimed the second position in all 30 ballots.
Acuna, a formidable presence at the leadoff spot, achieved a rare feat, combining 41 home runs with an NL-leading 73 stolen bases, making him the first member of the 40-70 club. The 25-year-old also led the NL in on-base percentage, OPS, hits, and runs scored while maintaining a batting average of .337.
Unique Celebrations
The celebration was unique for both players, with Ohtani not attending the announcement and Acuna debuting for the Tiburones de La Guaira of the Venezuelan Winter League shortly after claiming the award.
Ohtani’s Baseball Journey and Challenge
Ohtani’s baseball journey in the United States began in 2017 with high expectations around his two-way abilities. His first three years faced challenges due to surgeries and a COVID-19-shortened season, limiting him to a designated hitter role. However, starting in 2021, Ohtani excelled as both a pitcher and a hitter.
Despite Ohtani’s injury late in the 2023 season, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the orthopedic surgeon who performed the procedure, stated that Ohtani would be ready to hit at the start of the 2024 season and resume a two-way role by 2025.
Future Outlook
Questions surround Ohtani’s future pursuit of this role, but industry executives anticipate him securing a free agent contract that could reach the unprecedented figure of $500 million for a North American professional athlete.
As for Acuna, who won the NL Rookie of the Year Award in 2018, his outstanding performance this year marked a strong comeback from a torn ACL in 2021. Acuna expressed his excitement, surrounded by family and friends in Venezuela, hoping for an even better year ahead.
The significance of both Ohtani and Acuna’s unanimous MVP victories highlights their extraordinary contributions to the sport, leaving fans eager to witness their future performances on the baseball stage.
