Everything in him is unanimous.
He’s the greatest player in the history of baseball. He just had the greatest offensive day in the history of baseball. He’s having the greatest offensive season in Dodgers history.
And when it comes to the National League’s top honor, there should be no more debate.
Shohei Ohtani should be the unanimous MVP. Undoubtedly. Undoubtedly. And any voter who thinks otherwise should check his credentials.
Ohtani produced his crowning moment Thursday afternoon in Miami when he became the first player in major league history to reach 50 homers and 50 steals in a season. But it wasn’t just that he did it, it was how he did it, turning the crisis into exclamation points.
He went 50-50 with three homers, two stolen bases and 10 RBIs in a pennant-race game with the entire baseball world focused on his every move! And yes, he went six-for-six in those rotations! And, by the way, it was the win that clinched the Dodgers’ 12th consecutive playoff berth!
If that’s not the MVP’s crowning moment, what is?
That said, Ohtani shouldn’t have won it because no designated hitter has ever won it. Critics claim that a player who only has half the skills needed to be used by an average player is simply not considered the most valuable.
David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox had 47 homers and 148 RBIs in 2005 and didn’t win a game. The next season he hit 54 homers and 137 RBIs and still didn’t do it.
His only flaw? He was a designated hitter.
Is Shohei Ohtani having his best season with the Dodgers yet? Los Angeles Times writer Jack Harris spoke with columnists Dylan Hernandez and Bill Plaschke about today’s historic significance.
That first season, New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez led the way with 48 homers and 130 RBIs. The following season, Minnesota first baseman Justin Morneau led the way with 34 homers and 130 RBIs. Neither impressed Ortiz.
Historically, voters have long scoffed at guys who simply hit, and that’s been the case this year, especially in New York, where locals have been rooting for Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor.
Yes, he excelled offensively, joining the 30-30 club, just the third shortstop to do so in five seasons. And yes, defensively, he is considered the best shortstop in the league. All that, and he would lead the Mets into a wild-card playoff race.
Great season, but… really?
Ohtani simply did what no one in baseball history has or will ever match: combine the power of a pitcher with the skills of a speedster to create a perfect throw the likes of which the game has never seen before.
He’s not a DH, DH. He’s the DH in hell.
“It’s crazy,” Max Muncie told reporters about Ohtani’s day after the Dodgers beat the Marlins 20-4 at LonDepo Park in Miami.
Shohei Ohtani (17) is congratulated by his Dodgers teammates after hitting his 50th home run of the season on Thursday against the Miami Marlins.
(Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press)
Mookie Betts could only laugh.
“I mean… it’s funny. It’s amazing,” he said. “You can’t really put it into words, so you just sit back and enjoy the view.”
Miguel Rojas had the same feeling with the opposite reaction.
“Honestly, I almost cried because it was so emotional, because of what happens behind the scenes that we get to witness every day,” she said. “So it’s a really cool moment.”
That summer where you’re so unusual your coworkers don’t know whether to laugh or cry? ‘Tis MVP season.
Full disclosure: I didn’t watch Home 50 when this happened. My TV was off. Ohtani stole his 50th base in the first inning, hit his 49th home run in the sixth, gave the Dodgers a 9-3 lead, and I figured he’d keep his historic home run this weekend at Dodger Stadium. At the very least, the Marlins wanted to put pressure on him, right?
I stopped watching. When my phone exploded shortly afterward, I was reminded of the first rule for those journalists lucky enough to cover the everyday wonder that is Shohei Ohtani.
You can never stop looking.
He reached his 50th in the seventh inning with an opposite-field shot that amazed everyone with his appreciation of the art of hitting.
“In that situation, knowing that he’s on the verge of history and somehow staying in the field and hitting it left-center and not trying to get too big — you know, he thinks he’s about to hit a home run, and he hits it at 111 mph with another slider down and away,” Muncy said. “It’s just amazing.”
Ohtani has been on a roll all season, from the time he pitched in his first spring game to walking into the clubhouse with a towering 40-40 double in the game and hitting a home run on his bobblehead night after his dog Decoy’s perfect first pitch, it was jaw-dropping.
Triumph in every big moment amidst the highest expectations, surrounded by the greatest pressure.
He’s had to get so much attention that the Dodgers had to rearrange the press box to accommodate all the media. He’s had to deal with veteran translator Ippei Mizuhara stealing $16 million. He’s had to deal with every move that causes anger, even the night his grandfather caused a terrible pregame jam that disrupted his teammates.
He’s dealt with a lot, but he continues to deal, deal, and deal.
“I can’t put my finger on it and it’s amazing,” manager Dave Roberts said. “I mean, there are some things where we’re hoping he can do something special and there are expectations and he’s going to come through. It’s really cool.”
In a season riddled with injuries and misfortune, Ohtani’s substance and spirit carried this team even without him ever wearing a glove.
The Dodgers wouldn’t have won the division without him. The Dodgers probably won’t make the playoffs without him. He missed three games and struck out 150 more, exceeding even the most generous projections.
Dodgers fans looking for a song to sing along to as they welcome home on Friday now have one. It’s a song this city saves for only the best and most beloved. Kobe Bryant heard it once. Shohei Ohtani will hear it now.
There’s nothing 50-50 about this. 100% full throat.
“MVP! MVP! MVP!”
