Shohei Ohtani wins third MVP but Decoy is not having it

Since arriving inMajor League Baseball in 2018, Shohei Ohtani has rewritten what's possible on a diamond. From dazzling pitching performances to jaw-dropping power at the plate, he's been more than just a player-he's become a phenomenon. Yet, even with an already historic career, 2024 brought a new chapter for Ohtani that solidified his place among baseball's legends.

After g a record-shattering $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers last offseason, expectations were sky-high for the Japanese superstar. Questions swirled about whether he could live up to the billing, especially as he recovered from a second major elbow surgery. But Ohtani silenced any doubts in his first season wearing Dodger blue, delivering a performance that will be talked about for generations.

On Thursday, Ohtani was named the National League's Most Valuable Player for the third time in his career, and for the third time, the vote was unanimous. This remarkable achievement made him the first player in MLB history to be unanimously selected MVP three times, and he ed an elite club of players, like Frank Robinson, to win MVP honors in both leagues.

"This MVP, I'm just representing the Dodgers,"Ohtani humbly shared during the MLB Network announcement. "It was a complete team effort. I wouldn't have been able to receive this award if it weren't for my teammates." Clayton Kershaw, a former MVP himself, announced the award, highlighting the camaraderie that defined the Dodgers' historic season.

Ohtani's numbers were nothing short of breathtaking. He led the National League in runs scored (134), home runs (54), and RBIs (130), while posting a 1.036 OPS. Even more astonishing, he became the first player in MLB history to hit 50 or more home runs and steal 50 or more bases in the same season, cementing his place as a generational talent.

Ohtani's September surge: From Marlins masterpiece to World Series glory

His defining moment? A 6-for-6, three-homer game against the Miami Marlins that encapsulated his ability to take over a contest like no other. By season's end, Ohtani's 9.2 bWAR was not just the best in the league but a testament to his unique ability to dominate on both sides of the game-even as a full-time designated hitter.

Though Ohtani faced competition from stars like Francisco Lindor and Ketel Marte, his final month of the season left no doubt. With 10 home runs and 32 RBIs in September, Ohtani carried the Dodgers to another NL West title and secured his third MVP in the process.

Adding to his accolades, Ohtani played a key role in the Dodgers' World Series triumph, the first championship of his career. It was the ultimate validation of his move to Los Angeles and further proof that Ohtani's impact goes beyond individual awards.

"This season was everything I could've hoped for,"Ohtani reflected."Winning a World Series was the ultimate goal, and now it's time to do it again." As he works through rehab, Ohtani's sights are set firmly on 2025, where he'll look to build on what has already been an unforgettable journey.