Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts to Break 58-Year Deadlock? Los Angeles Dodgers’ Star Trio Eye History

This year, the Los Angeles Dodgers are on a historic trajectory. With the acquisition of Shohei Ohtani, they now boast a lineup featuring three former MVPs: Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Shotime himself. But could this trio do something even rarer—sweeping the top three spots in the 2024 NL MVP race in a single team, breaking the legendary 1966 Baltimore Orioles’ record 58 years down the line?

Teammates finishing 1-2-3 in MVP voting is exceedingly rare. Since the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BWAA) instituted the current voting format, it has only happened three times. The Los Angeles Dodgers themselves saw it in 1941, with the trio of Dolph Camilli, Pete Reiser, and Whit Wyatt. More recently, the 1959 Chicago White Sox (Nellie Fox, Luis Aparicio, and Early Wynn) and 1966 Baltimore Orioles (Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson, and Boog Powell) made the same mark on baseball history.

However, a changing league landscape casts doubt on a repeat performance. As fans believe, free agency and greater parity across MLB make it difficult for any team to dominate in this fashion.

Despite the odds, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup is undeniably intimidating. In a report by Dodgers Way, analyst Sarah Langs notes the team’s historical configuration with three back-to-back MVPs. Furthermore, early Spring Training form already has Betts outperforming Freeman and Ohtani. His adaptability to second base further bolsters Betts’ potential, suggesting he could emerge as the favorite for the 2024 NL MVP. On the other hand, the much-anticipated Shotime poses a unique challenge.

Shohei Ohtani’s status as a Designated Hitter could hinder his MVP chances. Dodgers Way acknowledges that without staggering pitching stats or a record-breaking home run season, his lack of defensive play will play a factor in the voting. And then there’s the question mark surrounding Freddie Freeman’s consistency.

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Freeman’s MVP track record is undeniable, with consistent top-tier performance over the past six seasons. If he maintains his stellar hitting and fielding, Freeman could easily take the top spot. It’s also important to remember that the Dodgers aren’t playing in a vacuum. Ronald Acuña Jr. continuously poses a formidable threat in the MVP race, and other players could rise to prominence during the season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Competition Contemplation

The history of baseball’s MVP awards reveals a fascinating evolution. From the pre-BWAA Chalmers Award to the dominance of certain teams in specific eras, we see how the league’s dynamics and the concept of “player value” have shifted over time. While the 1941 debate between legends Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio rightfully captures our attention, Dolph Camilli’s victory reminds us that an MVP isn’t necessarily the season’s most captivating story.

The dominance of certain teams, like the 1959 White Sox and the 1966 Orioles, showcases the potential power of a cohesive lineup and all-around excellence. However, their success makes us wonder how the current spread of talent might have been a determining factor in making those accomplishments all but impossible to replicate in the present climate.

The 1959 results illustrate the shifting emphasis on power in today’s baseball. Nellie Fox and Luis Aparicio dominated the MVP first and second place voting with their finesse, combining for only eight home runs and 121 RBIs for 295 and 255 points, respectively.

In contrast, modern MVP contenders like ’22’s Aaron Judge (1st place: 62 HRs, 131 RBIs, 410 points) and Shohei Ohtani (2nd place: 34 HRs, 95 RBIs, 280 points) boast significantly higher power numbers. Ronald Acuña Jr.’s 2023 MVP win further highlights the importance of a well-rounded game; he delivered a potent blend of power, stats, and speed (41 HRs, 73 stolen bases, sprinting at 28 mph) culminating at a massive 420 points, creating a compelling narrative that often seals the deal in MVP voting.

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Whether the Los Angeles Dodgers make history with an MVP sweep for Ohtani-Betts-Freeman remains to be seen. There’s potential, but the landscape of modern baseball creates significant challenges. Still, as Spring Training progresses, it will be captivating to see how this superstar trio performs—and whether they can defy the odds to put the Boys in Blue back on the record books.