Winning an MVP award is one thing. Winning your second career MVP award is quite another.
Winning your second MVP award while celebrating with your best friend in the whole world, however, is something else entirely.
Angels designated hitter and pitcher Shohei Ohtani did just that Thursday, gleefully celebrating his unanimous victory by high-fiving his beloved pooch.
The dog waited patiently as Ohtani was introduced alongside his fellow finalists: Rangers shortstop Corey Seager and second baseman Marcus Semien.
When Ohtani won his second AL MVP award in a two-year span, he and the dog mimed a celebration.
Shohei has his dog with him as he awaits his MVP award 🥹 pic.twitter.com/XJXHM6EDnu
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) November 16, 2023
The MVP and Shohei Ohtani 🐶 pic.twitter.com/MZIVBCKOd9
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) November 16, 2023
MLB fans were enamored, and immediately started appealing to their favorite teams to spend whatever was necessary to bring Ohtani to their city.
DO WHATEVER IT TAKES @Mariners https://t.co/TXqkt0ZQfM
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) November 16, 2023
Gonna need you to spend more money than you've spent in the history of history, @Cardinals. https://t.co/1Qk8jXibo7
— Alex Kortan (@Alex_Kortan) November 16, 2023
Shohei Ohtani high-fived his dog after winning MVP.
If I was 100000000% positive I needed this man on the #Dodgers before, I am now. https://t.co/B3fX5lWNaL
— Andrew Francis👑 (@ImAndrewFrancis) November 16, 2023
The Chicago Cubs bid one trillion dollars for 69 years.
Thank you. https://t.co/XZ4FeHbqRc
— Matt Burnell (@mdburnell) November 16, 2023
Ohtani—now a free agent—slashed .304/.412/.654 this season with 44 home runs and 95 RBIs, in addition to a 10-5 mark with 167 strikeouts and a 3.14 ERA on the mound.
Whoever wins Ohtani’s services will now be getting three talents in one: a position player, a pitcher, and a very well-behaved pup.