Staff of Japan's newspaper The Asahi Shimbun holds aloft a copy of the extra issue published after the Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani won a Most Valuable Player award, in Tokyo, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Koji Ueda)
Staff of Japan's sports newspaper, The Hochi Shimbun, hands over a copy of the extra issue published after the Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani won a Most Valuable Player award, to passersby in Tokyo, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Koji Ueda)
Staff of Japan's newspaper The Asahi Shimbun hands over to passersby, a copy of the extra issue published after the Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani won a Most Valuable Player award, in Tokyo, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Koji Ueda)
TV screens show the Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani, who won a Most Valuable Player award, in a news report, at an electronics store in Osaka, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (Kyodo News via AP)
TOKYO (AP) — It's become an annual ritual: Shohei Ohtani wins a Most Valuable Player award and Japan celebrates with newspaper extra editions handed out at a major train station.
The two-way Japanese star claimed his fourth career MVP award on Thursday night, and on Friday morning in Tokyo — the Japanese capital is 14 hours ahead of the American east coast — the extras hit the streets.
A congratulatory message came in immediately from the top of the government and from down on the sidewalk.
“Ohtani's constant effort and dedication contributed significantly to the team's victory and boosted team morale,†Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said.
This is
Ohtani led the Los Angeles title, earning him a second consecutive ºÃÉ«tv League MVP award. He also won the award in the American League in 2023 — and in 2021 — playing for the Los Angeles Angels.
All the MVP awards have been unanimous.
Ohtani hit .282 and led the NL with a 1.014 OPS. He also had 55 home runs, 102 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. He retuned to the mound in June after missing 1 1/2 seasons as a pitcher because of an elbow injury. He struck out 62 batters in 47 innings.
In the postseason he had arguably the greatest single game in MLB history. He hit three home runs while striking out 10 over six innings on Oct. 17, leading the Dodgers over the Milwaukee Brewers to win the NL Championship Series in four straight games.
“Winning the MVP was considered a certainty, so the real question was whether he would receive a unanimous vote,†said a fan who identified himself only as Aki, a nickname. “In the end he did, securing the MVP unanimously.â€
Another Dodgers fan Yoshio Inoue said he was looking forward to seeing Ohtani play for Japan in Tokyo in next year's World Baseball Classic.
“I'd love to see Ohtani return to Tokyo, kick off the season there, and hopefully win his fifth MVP award,†Inoue said.
The headline in the Asahi newspaper read simply: “Othani MVP.â€
“The television always shows Ohtani so I watch him too,†said fan Mai Koga. "He is such a great man and .â€
—-
AP MLB:
The ºÃÉ«tv Press. All rights reserved.
It’s a little-known fact that Canada’s credit unions are among the country’s stron…
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
