Society

Ohtani wins Baseball Digest player of year

Oct 08 (Japan Today) - Two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels was selected major league player of the year by Baseball Digest and eBay.

Max Scherzer was voted pitcher of the year and Josh Hader was picked as the top reliever in awards announced Thursday.

Ohtani received 16 first-place votes in balloting by a 19-member panel of baseball writers and broadcasters that included several former players, managers and executives.

At the plate, Ohtani hit 46 home runs — third-most in the majors — and had 100 RBIs while compiling a .965 OPS that ranked fifth. He scored 103 runs, stole 25 bases and even tied for the big league lead with eight triples.

He became the only player in history with at least 45 homers, 25 doubles, 25 steals and eight triples in one season.

On the mound, the right-hander from Japan went 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA in 23 starts. He struck out 156 batters and walked 44 in 130 1/3 innings.

It was a two-way performance unmatched in baseball annals, even by Babe Ruth.

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