Shohei Ohtani’s Unanimous 2025 NL MVP Victory

Months after being unanimously named the 2025 National League MVP, Shohei Ohtani had the opportunity to officially receive his award at the 101st annual New York Baseball Writers’ Awards Gala. This prestigious event, held at the Hilton in Midtown Manhattan, celebrated the achievements of some of the most outstanding players and coaches in Major League Baseball.

Ohtani was unable to attend last year’s BBWAA dinner due to the impact of the 2024 Southern California wildfires. However, this year he returned to the spotlight as one of the event’s main attractions, alongside New York Yankees star Aaron Judge. The evening also honored Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, and Manager of the Year winners, making it a night filled with celebration and recognition.

The New York Baseball Writers’ Gala was streamed exclusively on the Foul Territory YouTube channel for the second consecutive year, allowing fans from around the world to witness the festivities.

A Speech Full of Gratitude

Ohtani, known for conducting media interviews with an interpreter, delivered his acceptance speech in English, speaking for over two minutes. His words were heartfelt and full of gratitude, acknowledging every part of the organization that contributed to his success.

“Thank you to the Dodgers organization for believing in me,” Ohtani began. “To owner Mark Walter, who is here tonight, and the rest of the ownership group, the entire front office, especially Andrew Friedman and Jon Rosen, who are also attending.”

He continued by thanking all of his teammates and coaching staff, saying, “To all my teammates and coaching staff, for helping and encouraging me throughout the year, I felt your support every day.” Ohtani also gave a special shoutout to the behind-the-scenes staff, particularly (security) Al Garcia, who was present at the event.

Ohtani described his 2025 NL MVP Award as “very meaningful” and expressed how much it meant to him to win it again. His achievement places him among an elite group of players in MLB history, as he became the second player to win at least four MVP awards, following Barry Bonds, who won seven during his 22-year career.

A Historic Achievement

What makes Ohtani’s accomplishment even more remarkable is that he is the only player in MLB history to win three unanimous MVP awards, two consecutive unanimous MVPs, and an MVP in both the American League and the National League. Additionally, he is the only player in the history of the primary North American professional sports leagues — MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL — to win an MVP and championship in each of his first two seasons with a team.

Among Dodgers franchise history, Ohtani (2024, 2025) and Roy Campanella (1951, 1953, 1955) are the only multiple-time MVP winners. Overall, a Dodgers player has won the MVP award a total of 13 times, highlighting the team’s long-standing tradition of excellence.

A Legacy of Excellence

Ohtani’s performance in his second season with the Los Angeles Dodgers was nothing short of exceptional. He continued to make history, leading the team to a second consecutive World Series championship. His ability to excel both as a hitter and a pitcher has made him one of the most unique and valuable players in the sport.

As he continues to break records and set new standards, Ohtani’s legacy as one of the greatest players of all time is firmly established. His dedication, hard work, and gratitude for the support he has received from the Dodgers organization and fans alike have made him a beloved figure in the baseball community.