Shohei Ohtani has once again etched his name into the record books, winning his third MVP award in the past four seasons on Thursday. The Los Angeles Dodgers star was unanimously voted the National League MVP after a phenomenal debut year with the team, solidifying his status as one of the most dominant and versatile players in baseball history.
Ohtani’s unanimous MVP win is particularly noteworthy because it marks the third time he has achieved this feat—all three of his MVP awards have been unanimous. Such consistency in earning every first-place vote is unprecedented across all four major men’s North American sports leagues: MLB, NFL, NHL, and NBA.
According to Opta Stats, no other player in these leagues has ever won more than one unanimous MVP award.
In Major League Baseball’s storied history, there have been 21 players who were voted MVP unanimously, but Ohtani stands alone in doing so three times. The achievement highlights his unparalleled ability to excel as both a pitcher and a hitter, a dual skillset that continues to amaze fans and experts alike.
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In the NBA, only one player has ever received every single first-place vote for MVP—Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who did so in the 2015-16 season. Other greats, such as Shaquille O’Neal (1999-2000) and LeBron James (2012-13), came close but fell just one vote short of unanimous selection.
In the NFL, two players have managed to win MVP unanimously: Tom Brady in 2010 and Lamar Jackson in 2019. Both players set new standards of excellence during their respective seasons, but no one has been able to achieve this recognition more than once.
Similarly, in the NHL, the only players to win MVP unanimously are Wayne Gretzky and Connor McDavid, further highlighting the rarity of this accomplishment.
Considering the caliber of athletes who have only managed to achieve unanimous MVP recognition once in their careers, Ohtani’s ability to do it three times in four years is a testament to his unparalleled talent and impact on the game.
His contributions as both an elite hitter and pitcher make him a once-in-a-generation player, and his dominance shows no signs of slowing down.
At just 29 years old, Ohtani has many prime years ahead of him and has already announced his plans to return to pitching in 2025 after dealing with an injury.
Given his track record, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Ohtani add more unanimous MVP wins to his resume, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest to ever play the game.
For fans and analysts alike, Ohtani’s continued excellence represents the kind of talent that only comes along once in a lifetime.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are certainly reaping the benefits of having such a versatile player, and the baseball world will be watching closely to see what Ohtani accomplishes next.
His latest unanimous MVP victory is not only a reflection of his incredible skill but also of his ability to captivate audiences and redefine what is possible in the sport of baseball.
