Three Unanimous MVPs Awarded, Including Most Valuable Pupper
Thursday night witnessed the presentation of three unanimous Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards. Surprisingly, one of them was not for a human athlete, but for the Most Valuable Pupper.
Shohei Ohtani Secures AL MVP for the Second Time
Shohei Ohtani, the exceptional two-way player, added another accolade to his trophy case by winning the American League (AL) MVP award for the second time in his career. However, it was his furry companion seated beside him during the announcement that stole the spotlight.
While fielding questions about his remarkable season, Ohtani showered his adorable pup with treats and affectionate head scratches. His outstanding performance throughout the year made him a clear choice for the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) voters, leaving no doubt about his deserving the award. Ohtani received 30 first-place votes, matching the number received by his National League (NL) counterpart, Ronald Acuña Jr. This remarkable achievement makes Ohtani the first player in Major League Baseball (MLB) history to win the unanimous MVP title twice.
A Heartfelt High Five for Ohtani’s Canine Companion
As the legendary Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson announced Ohtani as the winner, the Japanese superstar shared a heartfelt high five with his loyal dog. It is safe to assume that this furry friend remains blissfully unaware of Ohtani’s impressive 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings in the 2023 season. Whether or not the pup inherits Ohtani’s versatility as a two-way player, capable of both catching and fetching a tennis ball, is yet to be determined. However, one thing is certain: on Thursday night, this dog proved to be the Best in Sho.