He was a unanimous MVP in 2021 and finished second to the Yankees' Aaron Judge in voting last year. This was just the 20th unanimous MVP vote since the award was established in 1931. Corey Seager was second with 24 second--place votes and 264 points, and Texas teammate Marcus Semien was third with five second-place votes and 216 points. Ohtani last spoke with reporters on Aug. 9, two weeks before he hurt the elbow while pitching against Cincinnati. Ohtani won AL Rookie of the Year in 2018 after leaving the Pacific League’s Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters to sign with the Angels.

---

Persons: Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Babe Ruth, Ruth batted, Atlanta's Ronald Acuña Jr, Tommy John, Nez Balelo, ___ Organizations: American League, Los Angeles Angels, Baseball Writers ’ Association of America, Yankees, Rangers, AL, Boston, Ohtani, Baseball, Cincinnati, Pacific, Ham Fighters, Angels, Pacific League's Locations: Texas, Hokkaido Nippon