
Shohei Ohtani receives special award from MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred
Shohei Ohtani receives special award from MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred
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SportsWriters
Los Angeles Angels All-Star Shohei Ohtani has played exceptionally well this regular season, and even the MLB can’t help but recognize the 27-year-old’s impressive accomplishments.
Ohtani was presented with a Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award prior to Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.
“I’m not sure I really deserve it,” Ohtani said, per Sports Illustrated’s Stephanie Apstein. “But if Mr. Manfred’s going to give it to me, I accept.”
“Over the next few years, I know that there are going to be many, many awards and accolades that come your way,” Manfred said. “But I felt that 2021 was so special that it was important to recognize the historic achievement that took place in 2021 with an award just about 2021.”
Ohtani made history after recording 46 home runs, drove in 100 runs, and stole 26 bases this season. In 23 starts on the mound, he was 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA while striking out 156 batters.
Ohtani is the most accomplished two-way player over a century since Babe Ruth, who last pitched and hit regularly in 1919.
“This award is not given out every year, so I know how special it is,” Ohtani said through his translator.
“It’s really extraordinary to find a human being who can perform at the highest level in Major League Baseball as both a pitcher and a position player,” the commissioner said. “It takes courage and fortitude not to make the choice that players traditionally make (to be a pitcher or hitter), and it takes tremendous endurance to do both over the course of what is a grueling 162-game schedule. In 2021, that extraordinary person came to us, and it was Shohei Ohtani.”









