In a groundbreaking moment in MLB history, Shohei Ohtani and Ronald Acuna Jr. were unanimously named the Most Valuable Player of their respective leagues.
This marks the first time in the award’s history that both leagues have seen unanimous MVP selections in the same year.
Two-way player. Two-time MVP.
Only one Shohei Ohtani. pic.twitter.com/wrb90UG4GR
— MLB (@MLB) November 17, 2023
Ohtani, the Los Angeles Angels two-way phenom, secured his second MVP. The 29-year-old Japanese sensation took the league by storm during his crucial contract year. He received all 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
Despite missing significant pitching time in the latter part of the season, Ohtani’s exceptional two-way performance set him apart. His 9.0 FanGraphs wins above replacement showcased his impact, both as a pitcher and an offensive power.
“Obviously I wanted to win it last year, but [Aaron] Judge had a spectacular season and, deservedly so, he won it,” Ohtani said through an interpreter on MLB Network. “My goal was to try to come out on top, and this kind of pays off all my hard work.”
The moment Shohei Ohtani found out he was a 2x unanimous AL MVP. 👏🐶 pic.twitter.com/odQc9rYuSl
— MLB (@MLB) November 17, 2023
Ohtani led the AL in home runs (44) and the majors in OPS (1.066), while also swiping 20 bases … In his 23 pitching starts, he boasted a 3.14 ERA, going 10-5 with 167 strikeouts in 132 innings.
Despite a mid-season ulnar collateral ligament tear, Ohtani remained committed to the Angels, continuing to bat even as he faced a hybrid version of Tommy John surgery after the season.
Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the orthopedic surgeon overseeing Ohtani’s recovery, expressed confidence that the Japanese star would be ready to hit at the start of the 2024 season and resume his two-way role by 2025.
Meanwhile in the National League, Ronald Acuna Jr. clinched his first MVP. His remarkable season included 41 home runs and 73 stolen bases while leading the NL in on-base percentage (.416), OPS (1.012), hits (217), and runs scored (149).
His .337 batting average was second only to Luis Arraez (.354).
Ronald Acuña Jr. is your 2023 National League MVP! pic.twitter.com/m7CDmrsLxQ
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) November 16, 2023
The 25-year-old Acuna had previously faced setbacks, including a torn ACL in the middle of the 2021 season and a challenging recovery year in 2022 … However, 2023 was an explosion for him as he helped lead the 104-win Braves.
Do you think both Ohtani and Acuna were deserving of the MVP?
Which player would you rather have on your team???