The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar received the National League Most Valuable Player award and surprised the audience with an emotional speech in English that made it clear why he is one of the most admired figures in baseball today.
On Saturday night, Shohei Ohtani was honored during the 101st annual Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) gala at a Midtown Manhattan hotel.
The event, broadcast exclusively on YouTube, marked his first appearance at the ceremony since joining the Dodgers.
Shohei Ohtani shines at BBWAA gala in New York
The Japanese player thanked the writers who voted for him, as well as the Los Angeles organization with which he was crowned a two-time World Series champion in 2025:
This MVP award is very meaningful, and to win it again means a lot to me
Ohtani gave a speech that lasted more than two minutes and was also noteworthy for being entirely in English, something unusual for the Japanese ace.
He also dedicated words of recognition to the team’s owners, management, teammates, coaching staff and his agency. He made special mention of his family, including his wife, daughter and Decoy, his inseparable pet, which generated an emotional reaction among those present.
Ohtani, a historic MVP with legendary numbers
In his second season with the Dodgers, Ohtani was unanimously chosen as the National League MVP, thus achieving the fourth such award of his career. He had already won two American League MVPs with the Angels and now has two consecutive National League MVPs, an unprecedented achievement.
Record season with the Dodgers
During the 2025 season, Ohtani posted a .282 batting average, hit 55 home runs and drove in more than 100 runs, setting a new franchise record for home runs. He also returned to the mound effectively, reinforcing his status as the most complete player in MLB.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, MLB Network again ranked him as the best player in baseball and his speech at the BBWAA gala is the perfect example of why he is one of the greatest figures in the sport today. It’s not just talent, it’s commitment, humility and charisma.
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