After a resounding victory for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Philadelphia Phillies, manager Dave Roberts praised the performance of Shohei Ohtani, who hit his 51st home run of the season
Despite his impressive statistics as a hitter and pitcher, Roberts expressed concern about an external factor that could influence the MVP voting: voter fatigue.
A historic season for Ohtani
Ohtani became the first player in Major League Baseball history to reach at least 50 home runs and 50 strikeouts as a pitcher in the same season. With an offensive line of .282/.394/.614, 51 home runs and 95 runs batted in, as well as a 3.29 ERA in 13 starts as a pitcher, his impact on both sides of the game is undeniable. His versatility keeps him as the only player in MLB who regularly performs both hitting and pitching duties.
Roberts: “It’s an MVP by a landslide”
For Dave Roberts, there is no discussion about who should win the award
With what he’s done with the bat and now what he’s done on the mound, it’s a no-brainer. It’s an obvious decision.
However, he also noted that there is a risk
I hope some voters don’t fall into fatigue, just because it’s the easiest option.
The threat of routine in voting
The concept of “voter fatigue” refers to the possibility that MVP voters may choose to vote for another player simply for the sake of variety, even though Ohtani has enough merit. This situation has occurred in other sports and seasons, where an athlete’s exceptional performance becomes “normalized” and loses media impact against new narratives.
Other MVP contenders
Among Ohtani’s main rivals in the race for the National League MVP are the Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber and the Mets’ Juan Soto. Although both have had outstanding seasons, neither has matched the level of dual impact that Ohtani offers. Still, the final decision will depend on the criteria that voters consider most relevant.
A legacy that continues to grow
Ohtani already has three MVP awards in his career, including the one he won in his last season with the Los Angeles Angels in 2023. His arrival at the Dodgers has further elevated his profile, and his performance in 2025 places him as one of the most influential athletes in modern baseball history. If he can overcome voter fatigue, he could add another award to his impressive collection.
Roberts’ stance as key backup
Dave Roberts’ words not only reflect admiration, but also a strategy to keep Shohei Ohtani at the center of public debate. By highlighting the risk of voter fatigue, the manager seeks to reinforce the narrative that exceptional performance should not go unnoticed out of habit. In a season where every detail counts, the support of the coaching staff can be decisive.
Read the full article here
