Dodgers News: Ohtani Named Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award Winner
Ohtani added to his hardware Thursday night winning Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award
LOS ANGELES, CA—On top of winning a second consecutive National League Most Valuable Player Award, his third straight MVP Award dating back to the 2023 season with the Los Angeles Angels and his fourth overall, Ohtani was yet again the winner of the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award.
The award, which is given to the top designated hitter since the position was implemented in the American League in 1973 and the National League in 2022.
Ohtani was the first player from the Los Angeles Dodgers to win the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award last season, and he has now earned it in both of his seasons with the team. Overall, Ohtani has received this award for five consecutive seasons.
Ohtani is the only player to have won the Outstanding Designated Hitter award in both leagues. Marcell Ozuna was the first National League player to earn this award in 2020 while with the Atlanta Braves. The National League officially adopted the DH in 2022, following its use during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
Ohtani now ties with Edgard Martinez for the most Outstanding Designated Hitter Awards, with five each. They are only surpassed by David Ortiz, who won seven times between 2003-2007 and also in 2011, 2013, and 2016. Ohtani and Ortiz are the only players to have won this award in five straight seasons.
In his second season as the Dodgers’ designated hitter, Ohtani led all players at the position with 89 extra-base hits, 380 total bases, and 172 hits. He also had nine triples, scored runs, and drew walks, tying for first in home runs with 55. Additionally, he ranked second in RBIs with 102 and had an on-base plus slugging percentage of 1.014.
It was just a moment of a very successful night for Ohtani, who, as mentioned, took home the NL MVP Award along with winning the Hank Aaron Award in the National League.
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