In Major League Baseball, Japanese star Ohtani Shohei of the Los Angeles Dodgers has won the Hank Aaron Award for the second year in a row.
The MLB announced the winners of five of its awards during its All-MLB Awards Show in Las Vegas on Thursday.
The Hank Aaron Award honors the top hitter in each league. Ohtani, who is a two-way sensation but limited to playing as a designated hitter this year following elbow surgery, won the award for the National League.
Ohtani also won the award last year when he was with the Los Angeles Angels, and has become the first player in MLB history to win the award in both the American and National leagues.
The 2024 winner of the American League was Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees.
At the awards show, Ohtani was also given the 2024 Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award for four straight years. He follows David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox, who won the award for the fifth straight year in 2007.
Also on Thursday, the MLB announced the 2024 All-MLB first and second teams, honoring best players. The players are chosen through votes from fans and experts.
Ohtani was selected as the designated hitter for the first team. This is the second straight year and third in all for Ohtani to be chosen as the designated hitter of the first team.
Ohtani has expressed his deep gratitude to people who voted for him.
In a video message shown at the awards ceremony on Thursday, Ohtani said he feels honored to receive the Hank Aaron award.
He also said he is looking forward to seeing his fans and supporters again in the 2025 season.
