The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani’s chase for a historic 50-50 season — hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases — has captivated both casual and dedicated baseball fans alike. However, not everyone is supporting Ohtani.
David Ortiz, the Hall of Famer, recently expressed skepticism about Ohtani’s chances of winning the National League’s Most Valuable Player Award. Ortiz, in an interview with Marca.com, hinted at lingering biases, saying, “They always had… ‘issues’ with giving me the MVP because I was a designated hitter. I’ll be interested to see what they say this year with Ohtani, the ‘darling’ of MLB, in the running.”
Ortiz also criticized how Ohtani’s pursuit of 50-50 is being celebrated while players like Francisco Lindor might be overlooked. Despite Ohtani’s impressive stats — 46 home runs and 46 stolen bases as of Sunday — and his recovery from elbow surgery, some believe an MVP should also excel defensively.
Lindor, the Mets’ standout shortstop, has 30 home runs, 26 stolen bases, and a career-best 135 OPS+. He has also won two Gold Glove Awards and could earn another this season.
Ironically, Ortiz, who spent his career as a designated hitter, might not be the most ardent supporter of another DH winning the MVP. Historically, MVP voters have struggled to recognize the full value of players like Ohtani, who excel in multiple facets of the game. Ortiz’s comments might also inadvertently perpetuate harmful stereotypes, particularly given his background as a prominent athlete from the Dominican Republic who might not be fully aware of these issues.
It’s crucial that the MVP debate remain focused on the players’ on-field performances. Perhaps Ortiz will clarify his remarks in the future.
