Los Angeles Dodgers star nominated for MVP following historic debut season

Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani has been recognized as a nominee for the National League Most Valuable Player award in Major League Baseball, following an extraordinary debut season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Ohtani is striving for consecutive MVP accolades after securing the title last season while with the Los Angeles Angels in the American League.

Having already achieved two MVP awards in his career, Ohtani concluded a season in which he became the first player ever to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases within a single season.

The 30-year-old power hitter also played a pivotal role in leading the Dodgers to their second World Series title in five years.

He is set to compete against New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor and Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte for the award.

In the American League, New York Yankees teammates Aaron Judge and Juan Soto are nominated alongside Bobby Witt Jr. from the Kansas City Royals.

The MVP awards, determined by a vote from the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA), will be revealed on November 21.

In a surprising turn, the nominees for the National League Manager of the Year award did not include the Dodgers' World Series-winning manager Dave Roberts.

Roberts was expected to be a frontrunner after leading the Dodgers to an MLB-best 98 regular season victories, despite facing significant challenges with an injury-riddled pitching staff.

Instead, the nominees include Carlos Mendoza of the New York Mets, Pat Murphy of the Milwaukee Brewers, and Mike Shildt of the San Diego Padres.

SportsLigue