MLB Awards: Shohei Ohtani, Bryce Harper are MVP winners for 2021 season
A thrilling Major League Baseball season was followed by a fun awards season, with plenty of coveted hardware handed out this week.
Earlier this week, the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) announced the winners of the Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year and Cy Young awards in both the AL and NL.
And on Thursday, the biggest awards of all — Most Valuable Player — were handed out.
Watch FOX Sports MLB Analyst Ben Verlander's reaction to Ohtani's unanimous MVP here!
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On "Flippin' Bats," Ben Verlander expresses happiness after Shohei Ohtani becomes the 2021 American League MVP and breaks down the two-way star's historic season.
Here is a breakdown of the BBWAA's awards, along with reactions from Verlander.
MVP
AL: Shohei Ohtani, SP/DH, Los Angeles Angels
The details: In his fourth season, Ohtani became a dominant two-way threat unlike any the league has ever seen, and he was rewarded as a unanimous MVP, earning first-place votes on all 30 ballots. He is the second Japanese star to win the award, joining Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners, who was MVP and AL Rookie of the Year in 2001. Ohtani made 23 starts as a pitcher, going 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA and 156 strikeouts in 130.1 innings. As a DH, he hit .257 with 46 home runs and a .965 OPS. He also led the AL in triples, with eight.
Ben V.'s thoughts: "Ohtani isn't Babe Ruth. He’s better. We just witnessed perhaps the greatest season of all time, a season we will be talking about for generations to come."
Others receiving votes: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays (269); Marcus Semien, Toronto Blue Jays (232); Aaron Judge, New York Yankees (171); Carlos Correa, Houston Astros (163); Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Indians (133); Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals (103); Matt Olson, Oakland Athletics (90); Cedric Mullins, Baltimore Orioles (87); Brandon Lowe, Tampa Bay Rays (34); Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox (28); Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays (7); Xander Bogaerts, Boston Red Sox (7); Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox (5); Nathan Eovaldi, Boston Red Sox (4); Robbie Ray, Toronto Blue Jays (4); Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees (4); Jose Altuve, Houston Astros (3); Teoscar Hernandez, Toronto Blue Jays (2); Kyle Tucker, Houston Astros (1); Mike Zunino, Tampa Bay Rays (1); Austin Meadows, Tampa Bay Rays (1); Mitch Haniger, Seattle Mariners (1)
NL: Bryce Harper, RF, Philadelphia Phillies
The details: This is the second MVP award for Harper, who won in 2015 with the Washington Nationals. It's the eighth time a Phillies player has won the award, with Harper joining Jimmy Rollins (2007), Ryan Howard (2006), three-time winner Mike Schmidt (1980-81, ’86), Jim Konstanty (1950) and Chuck Klein (1932). Harper led the NL in slugging percentage (.615), OPS (1.044), OPS+ (179) and doubles (42). His slugging, OPS and OPS+ were all the second-best of his career, trailing only the numbers he put up in 2015. Harper earned 17 of 30 possible first-place votes for 348 points, enough to beat Washington's Juan Soto (6), who finished second in MVP voting for the second time (2018).
Ben V.'s thoughts: "Harper absolutely dominated the second half of the season — while playing every single day after the All-Star break. He had a truly incredible season."
Others receiving votes: Juan Soto, Washington Nationals (274); Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres (244); Brandon Crawford, San Francisco Giants (213); Trea Turner, Nationals/Dodgers (185); Paul Goldschmidt, St. Louis Cardinals (128); Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves (111); Tyler O'Neill, St. Louis Cardinals (62); Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves (43); Max Muncy, Los Angeles Dodgers (38); Bryan Reynolds, Pittsburgh Pirates (33); Nick Castellanos, Cincinnati Reds (24); Ozzie Albies, Atlanta Braves (12); Max Scherzer, Nationals/Dodgers (11); Corbin Burnes, Milwaukee Brewers (9); Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds (8); Willy Adames, Milwaukee Brewers (8); Manny Machado, San Diego Padres (7); Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies (6); Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals (3); LaMonte Wade Jr., San Francisco Giants (1); Kevin Gausman, San Francisco Giants (1); Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants (1)
CY YOUNG
AL: Robbie Ray, Toronto Blue Jays
The details: Ray was nearly a unanimous choice for the AL Cy Young award, missing out by just one first-place vote among the 30 ballots cast. With 13 wins in 2021, Ray's win total is tied for the fewest by a Cy Young-winning starting pitcher over the course of a full season, tying Felix Hernandez's mark in 2010. Although he didn't have a bunch of wins, Ray did lead baseball in strikeouts (248) and led the AL in ERA (2.84) and WHIP (1.045). He is Toronto's first Cy Young winner since Roy Halladay in 2003.
Ben V.'s thoughts: "Ray put it all together this year, and it was incredible to watch. He had shown flashes of brilliance in the past, but just in time for free agency, he reached his full potential."
Others receiving votes: Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees (123); Lance Lynn, Chicago White Sox (48); Nathan Eovaldi, Boston Red Sox (41); Carlos Rodon, Chicago White Sox (34); Frankie Montas, Oakland A's (21); Lance McCullers Jr., Houston Astros (14); Liam Hendriks, Chicago White Sox (10); Jose Berrios, Minnesota Twins/Toronto Blue Jays (8); Chris Bassitt, Oakland A's (2); Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox (1); Raisel Iglesias, Los Angeles Angels (1)
NL: Corbin Burnes, Milwaukee Brewers
The details: Burnes won a tight race to claim the award, finishing with 151 points in the voting, 10 points ahead second place. He received the same number of first-place votes as Zack Wheeler, who finished second but made up ground with 14 second-place votes, compared to nine for Burnes. Per the BBWAA: "The 10-point margin of victory is the closest in the National League and tied for the fourth overall since the ballot expanded from three to five pitchers in 2010."
Ben V.'s thoughts: "Burnes was absolutely filthy all year. On a staff full of aces, he rose above the rest. He also set the MLB record for most strikeouts before allowing a walk, with 58."
Others receiving votes: Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies (141), Max Scherzer Washington Nationals/Los Angeles Dodgers (113); Walker Buehler, Los Angeles Dodgers (70); Brandon Woodruff, Milwaukee Brewers (21); Kevin Gausman, San Francisco Giants (7); Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals (3); Julio Urias, Los Angeles Dodgers (3); Jacob deGrom, New York Mets (1)
MANAGER OF THE YEAR
AL: Kevin Cash, Tampa Bay Rays
The details: Cash was money for the Rays this season, winning the AL East and taking his team to an AL-best 100-62 record. This is the second year in a row Cash has won the Manager of the Year award, a feat previously achieved by only legendary Atlanta Braves skipper Bobby Cox, who won back-to-back awards in 2004 and '05. Cash received 19 of 30 first-place votes, with four other AL managers receiving first-place votes.
Ben V.'s thoughts: "What the Rays have built in Tampa is truly incredible. The sport has never seen anything like what the Rays have done the past few years, and Cash continues to get the absolute best out of all 26 guys on the team. That’s special."
Others receiving votes: Scott Servais, Seattle Mariners (71); Dusty Baker, Astros (33); Charlie Montoyo, Toronto Blue Jays (23); Alex Cora, Boston Red Sox (16); Tony La Russa, Chicago White Sox (15); AJ Hinch, Detroit Tigers (3)
NL: Gabe Kapler, San Francisco Giants
The details: In his second season with the Giants, a team many predicted would miss the playoffs, Kapler stunned the league with a 107-55 record in the regular season. The Giants took home the NL West title with the best record in a baseball, fending off the 106-56 Dodgers down the stretch, and the 107 wins for the Giants set a franchise record. Kapler became the second manager in Giants history to win the honor, joining Dusty Baker, who won it in 1993, 1997 and 2000.
Ben V.'s thoughts: "The Giants were projected to win 75.5 games, and they ended up winning 107. They put together one of the most surprising seasons we have seen in a long time, with Kapler leading the way."
Others receiving votes: Craig Counsell, Milwaukee Brewers (75); Mike Shildt, St. Louis Cardinals (25); Brian Snitker, Atlanta Braves (21); Dave Roberts, Los Angeles Dodgers (6)
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
AL: Randy Arozarena, OF, Tampa Bay Rays
The details: Arozarena's brilliance in the 2020 playoffs carried over to the 2021 season, with the 26-year-old still eligible for the award due to his playing time a season ago. The speedy leadoff hitter hit for a .274 average, with 32 doubles, 20 homers and 69 RBIs. He also stole 20 bases, tied for 10th in the AL. With 22 of the 30 first-place votes, he was named Tampa Bay's first Rookie of the Year since Wil Myers took home the award in 2013.
Ben V.'s thoughts: "Arozarena won over the hearts of baseball fans during the 2020 season, but this year, he was still listed as a rookie, and he didn’t disappoint. This man was built for big moments, and he’s so fun to watch."
Others receiving votes: Luis Garcia, Houston Astros (63); Wander Franco, Tampa Bay Rays (30); Adolis Garcia, Texas Rangers (27); Emmanuel Clase, Cleveland Indians (11); Ryan Mountcastle, Baltimore Orioles (10); Shane McClanahan, Tampa Bay Rays (3); Alek Manoah, Toronto Blue Jays (2)
NL: Jonathan India, 2B, Cincinnati Reds
The details: India was a near-unanimous selection, picking up 29 of 30 first-place votes. The 24-year-old hit .269 in his rookie season, with 34 doubles, 21 home runs and 69 RBIs. India finished seventh in the league with 71 walks. He showed a willingness to take one for the team, too, as his hit by pitch total of 23 led the NL. India is the eighth Reds player to win the Rookie of the Year Award and the first since Scott Williamson won in 1999.
Ben V.'s thoughts: "India had a fantastic rookie season. His stats on the field, as well as playing solid defense every day, made him a no-brainer for this award."
Others receiving votes: Trevor Rogers, Miami Marlins (86); Dylan Carlson, St. Louis Cardinals (22); Patrick Wisdom, Chicago Cubs (5); Ian Anderson, Atlanta Braves (3); Tyler Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds (2); Frank Schwindel, Chicago Cubs (2); David Bednar, Pittsburgh Pirates (1); Vladimir Gutierrez, Cincinnati Reds (1)
Information from the Associated Press was used in this story.