Ohtani & Acuña make history

First time both league MVP winners are unanimously selected

Image courtesy of Getty Images

For the first time in Major League Baseball history, both the American League and National League MVP awards have been unanimously selected.

Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani won his second AL MVP award of his career. His first came in 2021, and he finished second to Aaron Judge last year.

Ohtani slashed .3044/.412/.654 while leading the league with 44 home runs. He also led the majors in slugging, OPS and OPS+.

On the mound, Ohtani went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA, a 1.061 WHIP and 167 strikeouts over 23 starts.

Ohtani won this year’s AL MVP over Rangers teammates Corey Seager and Marcus Semien.

Image courtesy of Rich von Biberstein/Getty Images

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. was named the NL MVP – beating out Dodgers teammates Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. This is Acuña’s first MVP award.

Acuña slashed .337/.416/.596 and led the majors in hits (217), runs scored (149) and stolen bases (73). He also finished the season with 80 walks and only 84 strikeouts – meaning he only struck out 11.4% of the time.

Acuña is also the first MLB player ever to hit 40 home runs and steal 70 bases in a single season.

Betts received 30 second place votes while Freeman received 17 third place votes. Home run leader Matt Olson finished fourth in voting.

Tyler McDonough made the most of his stint in the AFL

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