Shohei Ohtani was named the winner of the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award, which is given annually to the top DH in baseball since the position was implemented in the American League in 1973.
It was part of a successful day of awards for the two-way star, as Ohtani also was voted the unanimous 2025 National League MVP, and he took home the Hank Aaron Award as the top hitter in the NL.
Ohtani became the first Los Angeles Dodgers player to win the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award last season, and now has received it in both of his years with the team. Overall, Ohtani has received the award five seasons in a row.
Ohtani is the only player to win Outstanding Designated Hitter in both leagues. Marcell Ozuna became the first NL player to win the Outstanding DH Award in 2020 for the Atlanta Braves. It then wasn’t until 2022 that the NL fully adopted the DH after utilizing it during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
Ohtani is now tied with Edgard Martinez for second all-time with five Outstanding Designated Hitter Awards. They trail only David Ortiz, who was an eight-time winner from 2003-2007, and in 2011, 2013 and 2016. Ohtani and Ortiz are the only players to win the award five seasons in a row.
In his second season as Dodgers DH, Ohtani led all players at the position in extra-base hits (89), total bases (380), hits (172), triples (nine), runs scored and walks, tied for first in home runs (55), and ranked second in RBI (102) and on-base plus slugging percentage (1.014).
Shohei Ohtani’s history with Outstanding DH Award
Now in its 52nd season, the Outstanding Designated Hitter Award was renamed by then-MLB commissioner Bud Selig during a September 2004 ceremony in Seattle in honor of the retired Edgar Martinez. Ballots for the award are cast by beat writers, broadcasters and public relations departments, with nominees including all players with a minimum of 100 at-bats as a designated hitter.
2025: Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers)
2024: Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers)
2023: Shohei Ohtani (Angels)
2022: Shohei Ohtani (Angels)
2021: Shohei Ohtani (Angels)
2020: Marcell Ozuna (Braves)
2019: Nelson Cruz (Twins)
2018: Khris Davis (Athletics)
2017: Nelson Cruz (Mariners)
2016: David Ortiz (Red Sox)
2015: Kendrys Morales (Royals)
2014: Victor Martinez (Tigers)
2013: David Ortiz (Red Sox)
2012: Billy Butler (Royals)
2011: David Ortiz (Red Sox)
2010: Vladimir Guerrero (Rangers)
2009: Adam Lind (Blue Jays)
2008: Aubrey Huff (Orioles)
2007: David Ortiz (Red Sox)
2006: David Ortiz (Red Sox)
2005: David Ortiz (Red Sox)
2004: David Ortiz (Red Sox)
2003: David Ortiz (Red Sox)
2002: Ellis Burks (Indians)
2001: Edgar Martinez (Mariners)
2000: Edgar Martinez (Mariners)
1999: Rafael Palmeiro (Rangers)
1998: Edgar Martinez (Mariners)
1997: Edgar Martinez (Mariners)
1996: Paul Molitor (Twins)
1995: Edgar Martinez (Mariners)
1994: Not awarded
1993: Paul Molitor (Blue Jays)
1992: Dave Winfield (Blue Jays)
1991: Chili Davis (Twins)
1990: Dave Parker (Brewers)
1989: Dave Parker (Athletics)
1988: Harold Baines (White Sox)
1987: Harold Baines (White Sox)
1986: Don Baylor (Red Sox)
1985: Don Baylor (Yankees)
1984: Dave Kingman (Athletics)
1983: Greg Luzinski (White Sox)
1982: Hal McRae (Royals)
1981: Greg Luzinski (White Sox)
1980: Hal McRae (Royals)
1979: Willie Horton (Mariners)
1978: Rusty Staub (Tigers)
1977: Jim Rice (Red Sox)
1976: Hal McRae (Royals)
1975: Willie Horton (Tigers)
1974: Tommy Davis (Orioles)
1973: Orlando Cepeda (Red Sox)
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