Shohei Ohtani accepted the 2023 American League MVP award on Saturday night, marking the end of his tenure with the Angels. This came more than a month after he signed with the Dodgers and just three weeks before he reported to spring training.

Among the Major League Baseball award winners who Ohtani joined at the 99th New York Baseball Writers’ Dinner were NL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr., who shared a dais with Ohtani. Sitting next to his longtime interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, he stayed the night. Along with a black dress shirt and bow tie, he sported a dark blue velvet suit.

Ohtani was supposed to be introduced by actor Will Ferrell, however Ferrell pulled out of the event days before it was supposed to happen because of a schedule difficulty. Rather, the crowd laughed as Dusty Baker—a former Dodgers star outfielder and current manager of the Houston Astros—introduced Ohtani.

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Ohtani proceeded by reading a two-minute speech that was completely in English.

Ohtani expressed his gratitude to the Angels organization, including the ownership, front office, and personnel, for the last six years. Your encouragement and the chance to play the game I love have always meant a lot to me. For all the support and encouragement I’ve received from my teammates and coaches this year, I am really grateful. You were there for me every single day.

Thank you for having faith in me, Dodgers organization. This is the next step in my profession, and I can’t wait.

With his dog by his side, 29-year-old Shohei Ohtani was awarded AL MVP in November, becoming the first player in Major League Baseball history to receive successive unanimous MVP honors. Following his 2021 victory, the two-way great continued his winning ways in March, leading Japan to the World Baseball Classic, and earning the award with yet another unprecedented two-way season.

The left-handed powerhouse Һit 44 home runs in 135 games, enough for a.304 average. The American League was outdone by his.412 on-base percentage. In every metric that is available, he was the top player in the majors for slugging percentage (.654), on-base plus slugging percentage (1.066), OPS+ (184), and wrg.

Before hurting his elbow in August, he had a 10-5 record with a 3.14 ERA in 23 starts and 132 innings pitched. In September, he had Tommy John surgery for the second time, and the Angels missed the playoffs for the tenth year in a row.

The Dodgers continued their offseason spending frenzy this month by signing Shohei Ohtani to a record-breаking 10-year, $700 million contract (with a record $680 million deferred), despite the fact that his ιnjury is projected to prohibit him from pitching in 2024. Ohtani, who played alongside Mike Trout for six seasons, will now be in the MVP race with Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts.

Here is the text of Othani’s address from last Saturday:

Thank you very much for the wonderful evening and for always making us feel welcome, BBWAA.

Many thanks to the writers who cast their ballots in my favor. Receiving this highly esteemed MVP award would meаn the utmost to me. To everyone who cast a ballot for me to be named AL MVP, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

My deepest gratitude for the last six years of service to the Angels organization, from ownership to the front desk and every member of staff. Thank you for always being there for me and giving me the chance to play the game that I love so much. Thank you to the coaching staff and teammates who supported me and gave me advice throughout the year. You were there for me every single day.

Because the Dodgers organization had faith in me. This is the next step in my profession, and I can’t wait.

Please know how much I and Major League Baseball are grateful to all of the fans all over the globe.

I owe my style of play as a player to the unending, enthusiastic support I receive from the people of Japan on a daily basis.

My agent Nez Balelo and his wife Liz are the first in my support group, and they will be here tonight. Thank you to CAA for their unwavering support and, of course, to Ippei Mizuhara for his unfailing presence in my life. Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to my loved ones. You are appreciated. Much obliged.