Shohei Ohtani didn’t snag the 2026 National League MVP, landing second behind Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, who took home the award unanimously. That’s right, all 30 first-place votes went to Crow-Armstrong, leaving Ohtani with 26 second-place nods, two third-place, and three fourth-place votes. It’s the first time since 2022 that Ohtani didn’t win an MVP award, but don’t let that fool you. What he accomplished this year, even in second place, is absolutely mind-blowing.
The MVP Streak That Redefines History
Forget the final vote count for a second and look at the bigger picture: Ohtani is now the first player in major league history to finish in the top three of MVP voting for six straight years. Six! Think about that kind of consistent, elite-level play. He won MVPs in 2021 and 2023 with the Angels, then again in 2024 and 2025 with the Dodgers. Add in a second-place finish in 2022 and now this 2026 runner-up spot, and you’re talking about a run no one has ever seen. We are watching true greatness unfold.
Even Hall of Famer Ted Williams, who himself had an incredible run finishing in the top three of American League MVP voting for six consecutive seasons in which he played, doesn’t quite stack up to Ohtani’s unique streak. Williams had second-place finishes in 1941 and 1942, MVP wins in 1946 and 1949, and then a second in 1947 and third in 1948, with military service interrupting his playing time. But Ohtani? He’s the *only* player to finish in the top *two* for six straight years. That’s a level of sustained dominance that stands alone.
Battling Injuries, Still Delivering Absolute Fire
And here’s the kicker: Ohtani did all this despite battling some real tough breaks with injuries. He was hampered by issues with his left knee and right biceps that kept him from pitching after July 3. Yeah, that’s right, the dude was limited from doing half of what makes him special, yet he *still* put up MVP-caliber numbers. He even went through a 155-plate-appearance homerless skid after August 18. That’s a slump for a normal power hitter, let alone Ohtani, and it happened during the MVP push.
Even with those setbacks, the numbers are wild. He slashed .275/.377/.512 with a 139 wRC+, smashing 30 home runs. On the mound, in his limited 14 starts and 85 2/3 innings, he posted a ridiculous 1.79 ERA and a 2.73 xERA. His 6.5 bWAR might have been his lowest total in the last six years, but it still tied for the 72nd-best season in Dodgers history. That’s how good he is: a “down” year for him is still legendary for most.
Another Chapter in Dodgers Royalty
This second-place finish also plants Ohtani firmly in the Dodgers’ record books, putting him among some absolute legends. With his two MVP wins in 2024 and 2025 and now this second-place finish, Ohtani is just the third Dodger ever to record three top-three MVP finishes. Who are the others? Only Catcher Roy Campanella, who won three MVPs with Brooklyn in 1951, 1953, and 1955, and pitcher Sandy Koufax, who won NL MVP in 1963 for Los Angeles and then finished second in both 1965 and 1966. That’s elite company right there.
Nine Dodgers have finished in the top three of NL MVP voting multiple times, including names like Duke Snider, Steve Garvey, Maury Wills, Mike Piazza, Mookie Betts, and Pedro Guerrero. And even with all the star power, Ohtani’s run is different. The only other Dodger to even get a vote this year was center fielder Andy Pages, who grabbed a single sixth-place vote, tying for 18th. This is Ohtani’s show, and we’re all just here to witness it.
What’s next for this phenom after setting historic marks like this? Another season of pushing boundaries, no doubt. You can bet he’s already focused on next year, ready to try and reclaim that top spot and continue to cement his legacy as one of the greatest to ever play. The league is on notice: Shohei Ohtani is still a force, injuries or not.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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