LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Los Angeles Angels two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani added another award to his trophy chest on Monday after the Japanese slugger won the Outstanding Designated Hitter (OHD) award for the 2021 season Major League Baseball said.
Ohtani, a starting pitcher who also hits, was unanimously named the American League’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) earlier this month and is the first player to win the MVP and ODH awards during the same season.
The 27-year-old posted a .258 / .373 / .608 slash line with 92 runs scored, 122 hits, 20 doubles, eight triples, 43 homers, 91 runs batted in and 25 goals stolen in 126 games in as long as DH for the angels.
JD Martinez of the Boston Red Sox was second in the vote for club beat editors, broadcasters and public relations with nominees comprising all players with a minimum of 100 at-bat as a DH.
Ohtani, who is often compared to MLB’s great Babe Ruth due to his ability to throw and hit at an elite level, is only the second Japanese player to win the MVP award. Ichiro Suzuki took top honors in 2001 as a member of the Seattle Mariners.
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Himani Sarkar)
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