Ohtani has survived “875 games” for years, so “there are no records in the regular season.”

Shohei Ohtani of the LA Dodgers is the second most common regular season player without postseason experience. AP Yonhap News

Otani recorded his third MVP this year with 54 home runs and 59 steals. AP Yonhap News

Among active major league players, San Diego Padres shortstop Nick Ahmed has the most regular season appearances despite never playing in a postseason.

Ahmed has been in turmoil this year. He wore the uniform of the three teams. After signing a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants last winter and playing 52 games in the major leagues, he was released in July and traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for 17 games. And on August 23, he was free again, but was called up by San Diego and moved to two more games.

He made his major league debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2014 and has played in 959 regular season games so far this year. However, he has never been on the fall baseball stage. He signed a side contract with San Diego before Sept. 1 local time that would allow him to be on the postseason roster, per regulation. It remains to be seen whether he will make the roster or not, but he has a chance to play in the postseason for the first time in his life.

After Ahmed, the Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani ranks second on the list of postseason inexperienced players with the most appearances in the regular season. Ohtani debuted with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018 and played 875 games until the road game against the Colorado Rockies in the final game of the season at Coors Field. Meanwhile, I've never been invited to fall baseball. This year will mark his first postseason.

Ohtani virtually confirmed his third career MVP of the season and was the all-time leading hitter with at least five fingers.

Otani struck out in the top of the eighth inning against Colorado, the final game of the season. AFP Yonhap News

In 159 games, he posted a .310 batting average (197 hits in 636 at-bats), 54 home runs, 130 RBIs, 134 runs, 81 walks, 59 steals, .390 on-base percentage, .646 OPS 1.036, 99 hits, and .411 Hit. Combined, the two leagues ranked first in scoring, slugging and slugging and No. 1 in NL home runs, RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS. His batting average and stolen bases rank second in the Netherlands, and his hitting, which he prides himself on as a leadoff, ranks first in the Netherlands.

Ohtani was named the Angels' MVP twice in 2021 and 2023, unanimously both times. It is thanks to the myth that “Tutta also acts as a pitcher.” But this season he was only available as a hitter. He did not defend, only playing as a designated hitter. Because of this, it was expected to be relatively disadvantageous in the MVP competition. However, the voting BBWAA (National Baseball Writers Association) was able to dispel any doubts by putting up an overwhelming attack number and a golden tower that no one has yet achieved.

Ohtani is the first player in U.S. baseball history to record 50 home runs and 50 steals in a season. The 400 hit is a real milestone, coming 23 years after 2001, when steroid hitters dominated. The Dodgers' most home runs in a season is also an achievement not to be missed. Both bWAR (9.2) and fWAR (9.1) are No. 1 in the NL. It ranks first in the Netherlands in 25 categories, more than half of the 45 statistical items provided by Baseball Reference.

Otani and Clayton Kershaw chat after the game against Colorado on the 29th (Korean time). ImagesYonhap News

“Designated hitters shouldn’t be an MVP. There is no denying that it is an activity that has completely destroyed perception so far.” He is well on his way to becoming the first designated hitter MVP in history. This time too, unanimity is likely. USA Today reporter Bob Nightingale predicted this year's individual title winner, and two to three weeks ago there was a silly debate about the argument that New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor should be named MVP. Ohtani only hits home runs and steals, but Lindor also defends. Does anyone still want to have this argument?' Ohtani's unanimous MVP was a given.

On the 21st, LA Times columnist Bill Plaschke 'Otani should be the unanimous MVP. There is nothing to ask for and it cannot be avoided, he said. “If there is a voter who sees a player other than Otani as MVP, the issuance of a press pass should be reviewed.”

Then how would Ohtani feel heading into the postseason after booking the MVP?

After the game against Colorado, Ohtani said in an interview with local media: “I changed my team this year, but my attitude towards the game hasn't changed.” I didn't try to hit intentionally, but I tried to hit on everyone Hit to get the best result. So I think the batting performance could have been better in the second half of the season. “The regular season is now over. The overall performance of the season is no longer important. I will maintain my current condition and concentration throughout the postseason.”