Shohei Ohtani wins ‘Historic Achievement’ award

HOUSTON – The Japanese Two-Way Player Shohei ohtani received the “Commissioner’s Award for Historic Achievement” on Tuesday, ahead of the first Major League Baseball World Series game between the Atlanta Braves and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.

Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels is just the 16th recipient of the recognition, which was created by Major League Baseball headquarters in America to recognize historically significant contributions and achievements to the game.

The winner receives a Tiffany & Co.-designed trophy that stands 12 inches tall, including a sterling silver base with a top-mounted baseball. The words “Commissioner’s Historic Achievement” are engraved around the base of the trophy with the silhouette of the Major League Baseball batter’s logo.

The last time this honor was presented was during the 2014 season, when they were greeted by Derek Jeter, who was playing his final season with the New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Dodgers legendary Vin Scully.

Shohei Ohtani’s 2021 season will be remembered forever. His overall excellence captured everyone’s imagination and demonstrated the greatness of our game. Major League Baseball is honored to recognize Shohei’s incredible accomplishments in 2021, and we look forward to his milestones to come, “said Commissioner Rob Manfred.

In the 2021 campaign, Ohtani became the first player in Major League Baseball history to be called up to the All-Star Game as a pitcher and batter. For the first time in the All-Star Game’s 88-year existence, a player was the starting pitcher and designated hitter of a team.

During his astonishing season, Ohtani hit 46 home runs, 26 doubles and eight triples, drove in 100 runs and scored 103 and received 96 walks as a batter. As the Angels’ star pitcher, he was 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA and 156 strikeouts (130.1 IP) in 23 starts, limiting opponents to a .207 average.

Ohtani is the first pitcher to make multiple starts in a season while leading Major League Baseball in home runs from the Hall of Fame, Babe Ruth, in 1919. He became the first player in MLB history to record more than 10 HRs. as a hitter and more than 100 strikeouts as a pitcher in the same season.

Additionally, he became the first player in MLB history with more than 20 stolen bases and more than 10 pitching appearances in the same season. In 20 of his 23 starts he hit in his team’s lineup, the first to do so more than three times in the American League since there was a Designated Hitter.

The above figures who have received the Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award are:

1998: Cal Ripken Jr. commemorating the end of his legendary consecutive game streak.

1998: Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa for their one-season home run record chase.

2001: Barry Bonds for his record for home runs in a season.

2001: Rickey Henderson for his records for stolen bases, walks and runs scored.

2001: Tony Gwynn, who retired with eight National League batting titles.

2001: The Seattle Mariners to their 116-win regular season mark.

2004: Roger Clemens for his 300th win and record for Cy Young Awards.

2005: Ichiro Suzuki for his hitting record in the 2004 season.

2006: Roberto Clemente, posthumously, during the 2006 All-Star Game in Pittsburgh, received by his wife Vera and the entire Clemente family.

2007: Rachel Robinson, on the 60th anniversary of her husband Jackie’s breaking the color barrier and advancing her legacy and service to young people throughout her life.

2011: Ken Griffey Jr. for his great baseball career and for being one of the most popular players of all time.

2013: Mariano Rivera, who retired as the game’s all-time save leader.

2014: Vin Scully on 65 years of excellence in his storytelling career.

2014: Retired Derek Jeter for his numerous all-time postseason records.