Moments After Creating History, World Baseball Classic-Winning Teammate Celebrates MVP Shohei Ohtani’s Historic Feat

Shohei Ohtani has done it again. After losing the title last year to Aaron Judge, the baseball phenom has won his second career MVP, defeating the likes of World Series-winning Rangers stars Corey Seager and Marcus Semien. Notably, the two-way phenom unanimously won the prestigious award for the second time. Acknowledging the same, Ohtani’s Japanese teammate shared his thoughts on the former Angels star’s major win.

Lars Nootbaar, another MLB player, who also happened to be Ohtani’s teammate on Team Japan’s roster during the World Baseball Classic, came up with a touching message for Ohtani soon after the 2023 AL MVP winner was announced. Apart from Shotime, Nootbaar was also critical for Team Japan during the WBC win earlier this year. Now that Ohtani has won his 2nd MVP award, ‘happy‘ Nootbaar congratulated the reigning AL MVP over his big win.

Lars Nootbaar heaps praise on Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani’s second MVP award is an achievement rarely achieved in baseball. So congratulatory messages were bound to come. Lars Nootbar had a really sweet message for his former teammate. MLB Japan shared a short clip, in which Nootbaar can be seen singing praise for the baseball unicorn.

“Shohei, congratulations, man. Well deserved! I don’t think it was ever a doubt that you were going to win AL MVP. I am excited for you.” Nootbar continued, “I am happy for you. I want to say congratulations. Well Deserved! You are the best, man.” 

The messages didn’t end here as Ohtani’s Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout also shared a tweet congratulating the two-way phenom. It is interesting as with this win, “Shotime” has joined Trout as a two-time AL MVP. Trout’s message read “Congrats on an epic year and well deserved MVP. Proud of you, brother!” 

The two-way phenom’s popularity among the fans and players is well known. So these loving messages were not surprising but nonetheless, they again showed how much respect he commands. While Ohtani created history by becoming the first two-time unanimous MVP, there was more to this award. Ohtani is now the only Japanese player to win the MVP award twice. Slowly but gradually, he’s immortalizing himself in the pages of history. What does the two-way sensation think of this win?

Ohtani’s comments on this win

When MLB Network asked Shohei Ohtani how he felt winning his second MVP after ranking second last year, he answered, “Obviously I wanted to win last year but Judge had a spectacular season and deservedly so he won it. So I wanted to come back stronger and try to win this year.” But that wasn’t all, he also had compliments for the Fall Classic winners of 2023 and fellow MVP nominees.

“Semien, Seager had great seasons, congrats to them on winning the World Series, that was awesome. But my goal was to try to come out on top. I guess this kind of pays off on all my hard work.”

Read more: Unanimous MVP Shohei Ohtani’s Unusual Move Raises Eyebrows Amid Free Agency Speculation

Ohtani’s habit of congratulating his opponents even during his moment of glory is what makes him such an adored figure for the fans. Now that he is looking to sign a $500 million contract, will he add another accolade to his cabinet next? Could it be the World Series ring and an MVP award for the same? Well! anything is possible for the Japanese superstar.

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