What to Know
- Shohei Ohtani is the AL MVP frontrunner after a historic MLB season.
- Ohtani smacked 50 home runs and stole 50 bases on the way to the Dodgers' eighth World Series title.
- The award would be Ohtani's first in the NL after winning the AL award in 2021 and 2023 when he was an Angel.
- Frank Robinson, who played for the Reds in 1961 and Orioles in 1966, is the only player to win the MVP award in both leagues.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is on the verge of his third Most Valuable Player award and another significant MLB feat after a season for the ages.
The American League and National League MVPs will be announced Thursday afternoon with both Ohtani and the Yankees' Aaron Judge considered strong frontrunners to win in their respective leagues. The award would be Ohtani's first in the NL after winning the AL award in 2021 and 2023 when he was an Angel.
Get top local stories in Southern California delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC LA's News Headlines newsletter.
Frank Robinson, who played for the Reds in 1961 and Orioles in 1966, is the only player to win the MVP award in both leagues.
Ohtani signed a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers last December. He went on to author one of MLB's most memorable seasons with an unprecedented 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases.
The two-way star from Japan hit .310, stole 59 bases and led the NL with 54 homers and 130 RBIs, leading the Dodgers to a postseason that ended with the franchise's eighth World Series title.
Ohtani did not pitch in 2024 following elbow surgery. He would become the first primary DH to win an MVP award.
Ohtani would become the 12th player with three or more MVPs, joining Barry Bonds (seven) and Jimmie Foxx, Joe DiMaggio, Stan Musial, Roy Campanella, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Mike Schmidt, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols and Mike Trout (three each).
The AL honor would be Judge's second.
Balloting was conducted before the postseason.
