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Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani finalist for third MVP award

Ohtani could become the second player to win MVP in both leagues, with winners announced Thursday.

Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani finalist for third MVP award + ' Main Photo'

In his first season with the Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani is the favorite to add a third MLB Most Valuable Player award to his first World Series title.

Finalists for the BBWAA awards were announced Monday and Ohtani is one of three finalists for the National League MVP award along with Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets and Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Dodgers did not have a finalist for any of the other awards.

Pat Murphy of the Milwaukee Brewers, Carlos Mendoza of the New York Mets and Mike Shildt of the San Diego Padres are the finalists for the NL Manager of the Year award. Dave Roberts did not finish in the top three of the voting. Votes are submitted before the start of the postseason.

Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Jackson Merrill of the Padres and Jackson Chourio of the Brewers are the finalists for the NL Rookie of the Year award.

Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves, Zach Wheeler of the Philadelphia Phillies and Skenes are the NL Cy Young finalists.

Ohtani was the unanimous MVP in the American League in 2021 and 2023. If he wins the NL MVP award this year, he would join Hall of Famer Frank Robinson as the only player to win an MVP award in each league.

Ohtani would also become the 12th player in history to win at least three MVP awards. Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Roy Campanella, Jimmie Foxx, Mickey Mantle, Albert Pujols, Stan Musial, Mike Trout, Alex Rodriguez and Mike Schmidt also won three MVPs. Only one player has won more Barry Bonds (seven).

Ohtani made himself the favorite to win the award again this year with a historic season, becoming the first player in baseball history with 50 or more home runs and 50 or more stolen bases in the same season. Ohtani finished second in the majors with 54 home runs (behind Aaron Judge) and second in the majors with 59 steals (behind Elly De La Cruz). No player since Ty Cobb in 1909 finished in the top two for both categories in the same season.

He finished just short of a Triple Crown in the National League, leading in home runs and RBIs and finishing second to Luis Arraez in batting average (.310 to .314).

Award winners will be announced next week with the MVP winners scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 21.