Phenomenon Ohtani named MVP for the third time, baseball mad Japan prints extra newspapers

It is not surprising, but last night Shohei Ohtani was named the most valuable player (MVP) of the MLB, the American baseball league. It is the third time in the last four seasons that the Japanese baseball player has received the award. He was chosen unanimously by the 30-member jury.

The 30-year-old Ohtani has long been known as the best baseball player of the moment and last month won the World Series, the American national championship, with his Los Angeles Dodgers.

Because the American baseball league consists of two equal divisions (the National League and the American League), two MVPs are declared. The other title went to Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees; his election was also unanimous.

At the start of the season, there were slight doubts here and there whether Ohtani could reach his level. He has captured the imagination for years because he is one of the best baseball players in the world as a hitter and as a pitcher, but was unable to pitch this year due to an elbow injury.

Moreover, this was Ohtani’s first season with a new employer. LA Dodgers managed to tempt him with a record salary at the end of 2023: he was released from city rivals LA Angels for an amount of $700 million over ten seasons.

Ohtani immediately proved his worth in his first season for the Dodgers. Although he could not pitch, he immediately broke an illustrious record as a hitter. As the first baseball player in the 121-year history of the MLB, he was good for 50 home runs and 50 steals in one season.

The ball with which Ohtani hit his record home run was auctioned for no less than 4.4 million dollars (4.2 million euros). He would finish the season with 54 home runs and 59 steals.

No matter how lyrical people in the United States are about Ohtani, he has not been able to walk the streets in his home country Japan for much longer. In the baseball-crazy country he is considered an absolute superstar.

In Japan, several major newspapers decided to publish an extra edition on Friday, entirely dedicated to the baseball star who conquered America. Such an extra edition is a common way in Japan to celebrate extraordinary events.