In an unprecedented display of talent, Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers has further cemented his legendary status in baseball by clinching his fourth career Most Valuable Player award. This remarkable achievement in November 2025 also saw him play a pivotal role in securing back-to-back World Series championships for his team.
Ohtani's Unprecedented Two-Way Dominance
The 31-year-old Japanese sensation delivered a season for the ages, unanimously earning all 30 first-place votes from the National League. This marks his third consecutive MVP win and his second since joining the Dodgers, having previously won in the American League with the Angels in 2021 and 2023.
At the plate, Ohtani was a force of nature, slashing an impressive .282/.392/.622. He smashed a franchise-record 55 home runs for the Dodgers, the third-highest tally in all of Major League Baseball, and led the entire league by scoring 146 runs.
What truly separates him from every other player is his dual-threat capability. Making a full return from injury, Ohtani also dominated on the pitcher's mound. He posted a stellar 2.87 ERA across 47 innings, striking out 62 batters and proving his unparalleled value.
A Legacy of Winning and Unanimous Accolades
With this victory, Ohtani becomes the first player in baseball history to win multiple MVP awards in both the American and National Leagues. He now stands second only to the legendary Barry Bonds, who has seven MVP trophies. Incredibly, all four of Ohtani's MVP wins have been unanimous decisions, a rare feat that underscores his singular impact on the sport.
Reflecting on his individual success, Ohtani connected it directly to team goals. "If I am playing well as an individual, that means I am helping the team win, so in that sense, hopefully I can end up with a couple more MVPs," he said through an interpreter. "But it's all about winning games."
Dodgers Dynasty and American League Honour
Ohtani's brilliance was instrumental in the Los Angeles Dodgers' triumphant 2025 season. The team defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in a thrilling seven-game World Series earlier in November, clinching their second consecutive championship and solidifying their status as a modern dynasty.
In the American League, the MVP race was a tight contest. New York Yankees powerhouse Aaron Judge narrowly beat Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh to claim his third MVP award, and his second in a row. Judge batted a phenomenal .331, hit 53 home runs, and led the league with a 1.144 OPS. This win places him among Yankees greats like Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, and Mickey Mantle as a three-time winner.
"It's tough for me to wrap my head around," Judge admitted. "It's mind blowing from my side of things, because I play this game to win, I play this game for my team-mates, my family, all the fans in New York. You've got to pinch yourself every single day. It's truly an incredible honour."
