Shohei Ohtani's done it again, folks, and this time it's HUGE! He just snagged his fourth MVP award, cementing his place in baseball history! But it's not just the quantity, it's how he's doing it that's jaw-dropping.
Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers' unparalleled two-way superstar, was crowned the National League MVP for 2025, marking his second consecutive NL MVP title. But that's just scratching the surface. This is his third straight MVP overall and his fourth career MVP award. This achievement catapults him into a stratosphere of baseball legends, coinciding with the Dodgers securing their second straight World Series championship. Talk about a season to remember! (Check out the victory highlights here: [https://www.si.com/mlb/dodgers-win-2025-world-series-sports-illustrated-s-best-photos])
-- MLB (@MLB) November 14, 2025 ([https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1989127097386934314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw])
And the cherry on top? Ohtani was the unanimous choice for the 2025 NL MVP! He swept all 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA). Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies came in second with 260 points, followed by Juan Soto of the New York Mets with 231 points. But let’s be honest, this was Ohtani's award to lose.
Here's a mind-blowing stat: Ohtani has won every single MVP award he's earned unanimously, back in 2021, 2023, 2024, and now 2025. That's dominance defined!
Ohtani continued to be an offensive powerhouse, leading the National League with an astounding 1.014 OPS (On-Base Plus Slugging). But here's the comeback story: this season also marked his triumphant return to the pitching mound after undergoing elbow surgery in 2023. So, he's not just hitting like a god; he's also pitching at an elite level. Is there anything this guy can't do?
Let's recap: Shohei Ohtani is making a habit of rewriting MLB history books with each passing season. Last year, he became only the second player ever (alongside the legendary Frank Robinson) to win the MVP award in both the American and National Leagues. But this year? He one-upped himself, becoming the first player in MLB history to win multiple MVP awards in each league.
Now, let's dive into some more ways Ohtani etched his name into baseball lore with this 2025 NL MVP win:
Dodgers Dynasty: Ohtani Breaks the Mold
While the Dodgers have a rich history with MVP awards (ten different players have won a total of 13), Ohtani's back-to-back wins are unprecedented. No other Dodger has ever achieved consecutive MVP honors. He joins Hall of Famer Roy Campanella as the only players in franchise history to secure multiple MVP awards. Think about the legacy of the Dodgers, and Ohtani is already standing shoulder-to-shoulder with a legend like Campanella.
Bonds Reimagined: Parallels with a Controversial Great
This is where it gets controversial... Ohtani's 2025 NL MVP puts him in extremely rare company, tying him with Barry Bonds as only the second player ever to win four MVP awards. Bonds, of course, holds the record with seven, a feat often discussed with an asterisk due to performance-enhancing drug allegations. Ohtani also joins Bonds as the only players to win three consecutive MVP awards. Bonds achieved this incredible streak with four straight MVP awards from 2001 to 2004. Regardless of how you feel about Bonds' legacy, the statistical comparison is undeniable. Is Ohtani on track to surpass Bonds' MVP record? And will he do it with a clean image?
Postseason Powerhouse: Regular Season AND Playoff Dominance
Ohtani is the first player since Josh Hamilton in 2010 to win both a League Championship Series (LCS) or World Series MVP and a regular season MVP in the same season. This rare feat has been accomplished by only seven players in MLB history. It's a testament to his ability to perform at the highest level when the stakes are at their greatest. He's not just a regular season star; he's a clutch performer in the playoffs.
After a relatively quiet postseason in 2024, Ohtani exploded in 2025. He hammered eight home runs and posted a 1.096 OPS, while also recording a 2–1 record on the mound with a 4.43 ERA (2.84 FIP) and 28 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings pitched. He was a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the ball.
During the Dodgers' repeat championship run, Ohtani delivered what many are calling one of the greatest individual performances in sports history. It's hard to think of a comparable display of dominance ([https://www.si.com/mlb/how-other-top-sports-performances-match-up-against-shohei-ohtani]). He single-handedly powered the Dodgers to victory over the Brewers in Game 4 of the NLCS, smashing three home runs ([https://www.si.com/shohei-ohtani-s-mammoth-nlcs-home-run-left-dodgers-teammates-in-utter-disbelief]) and pitching six shutout innings with 10 strikeouts, securing the LCS MVP award.
And he didn't stop there! In Game 3 of the World Series against the Blue Jays, Ohtani left an indelible mark on an 18-inning marathon victory. He belted two home runs and reached base an astounding nine times ([https://www.si.com/mlb/shohei-ohtani-reached-base-9-times-world-series]) – a postseason record – thanks to five walks. He just kept getting on base! The Blue Jays simply couldn't find a way to get him out.
With each MVP award, Ohtani continues his ascent to the summit of MLB greatness. He's not just playing baseball; he's redefining it. What do you think? Is Ohtani the greatest baseball player of all time? Will he surpass Barry Bonds' MVP record? And how long can he maintain this incredible two-way dominance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
