Two-way star Shohei Ohtani won the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award for the third straight year Thursday, adding to his list of individual accolades earned while playing for the Los Angeles Angels in the 2023 season.
The reigning American League MVP is the second player since the award's inception in 1973 to receive the DH prize in three straight years, following in the footsteps of Hall of Famer and eight-time winner David Ortiz, who claimed the title in five straight seasons from 2003 playing for the Boston Red Sox.
Ohtani became the first Japanese player to lead a U.S. major league in home runs this year with 44. He also batted .304 with 95 RBIs while winning 10 games on the mound as he was unanimously voted the MVP for the second time, having won his first in 2021 when he also received all first-place votes.
The 29-year-old free agent, expected to sign a record-breaking deal this offseason, also won his second Silver Slugger Award as AL's best offensive player at designated hitter.