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  • Jorge Castillo, ESPN Staff WriterJun 5, 2024, 07:00 AM ET

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      ESPN baseball reporter. Covered the Washington Wizards from 2014 to 2016 and the Washington Nationals from 2016 to 2018 for The Washington Post before covering the Los Angeles Dodgers and MLB for the Los Angeles Times from 2018 to 2024.

NEW YORK — Mets luminaries from a bygone era packed a room in the bowels of Citi Field on Saturday afternoon. Most on hand were protagonists during the franchise’s last World Series championship in 1986. Doc Gooden, Mookie Wilson, Kevin Mitchell, Jesse Orosco, Ron Darling, Keith Hernandez and others were in attendance to celebrate their former teammate Darryl Strawberry, who sat at the podium for a news conference reminiscing about his eight seasons starring in Flushing.

Strawberry’s No. 18 was retired during a pregame ceremony a little later. Mets fans arrived early to watch, filling the stands on a day that will be remembered in this organization’s history. It was a timely palate cleanser, on the first day of June, after a month that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

The Mets are 11-21 since May 1, but the slog has been even uglier lately than that record indicates. The misery really picked up steam on May 13, when All-Star closer Edwin Díaz blew his second save of the season, and over the ensuing weeks the team has been dropping games in every way imaginable.

There was a flurry of bullpen implosions and roster moves. There were injuries, injury setbacks and injury scares. There was a called third strike that went viral, announcers voicing sarcastic optimism on air, a glove angrily thrown into the crowd, an emergency players-only team meeting and a bizarre, misunderstood clubhouse outburst. The frustration leaked onto owner Steve Cohen’s X account.

There are encouraging trends within the turmoil, but getting good offense, good pitching and good defense to align on the same day has been rare. The bullpen is leaky. Fielding miscues are too regular. The rotation lacks a front-line starter with Kodai Senga on the injured list.

There is time for the club with MLB’s highest payroll to rebound. The chaotic stretch, however, has plunged the Mets into a deep hole, with the third-worst record in the National League, and on track for a trade deadline exodus for the second consecutive summer.

The Mets head to London for two games against the Philadelphia Phillies this weekend. Facing the best team in the National League isn’t a recipe for a turnaround, but traveling across the pond might be the change of scenery the team needs to reverse course in a season careening toward disaster.

“They’ll continue to fight, they’ll continue to work and we’ll get through it,” Mets first-year manager Carlos Mendoza said. “But it’s not a secret. It’s been hard for us these past three, four weeks here.”

Here’s a look back at the lowest moments of that stretch.

May 13: Díaz melts down, again (and again and again)

Questions about Edwin Díaz’s injury comeback begin to mount as he blows his second save of the season, giving up two runs on two hits and two walks in a loss to the Phillies

Díaz, the Mets’ All-Star closer known for his festive entrances from the bullpen, has endured a nightmarish season so far, after missing all of 2023 with a knee injury sustained at the World Baseball Classic. After the May 13 loss, he would blow another save in his next outing three days later before squandering a four-run lead against the Miami Marlins two days after that. He managed a clean seventh inning in his next appearance after a five-day layoff, but less than 24 hours later, he blew another save in a loss to the San Francisco Giants.

“He’s our closer,” Mendoza said after the loss to San Francisco. “In order for us to win games and get to where we want to get to, he’s got to pitch. And I felt like that was the right spot.”

Four days later, Díaz landed on the injured list with a shoulder impingement.

May 15: Cohen’s ‘DM’ debacle

Responding to a fan arguing that the front office should sell at the trade deadline, Mets owner Steve Cohen tweets, “All in the future, not much we can do until trade deadline,” during another Mets loss to the Phillies

Cohen often engages with fans on social media, though this time doing so backfired for the billionaire owner. The post was widely deciphered as Cohen’s acknowledgment that the Mets again intend to wave the white flag in July, as they did last year when they traded future Hall of Fame pitchers Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer.

Cohen quickly deleted the tweet. The next day, he told SNY that the tweet — which he said was meant to be a direct message — was misinterpreted. He emphasized he “fully” expects the team to reach the postseason.

Still, nine days later, after another bullpen implosion, Cohen tweeted that the team’s disastrous stretch was “mind boggling.”

“I didn’t see it,” Mendoza said when asked about the second tweet. “I said it last night: You get pissed. It’s frustrating, but we’re professionals. We know we’re going through it right now, but I just met with our hitters again, we just have to keep going.”

May 24: Another setback for Senga

Mendoza announces Kodai Senga will be shut down for three to five days after an MRI revealed inflammation in his triceps

Senga was supposed to be the Mets’ ace this season, but he hasn’t thrown a pitch yet. The diagnosis came amid his longer-than-expected recovery from a strained posterior shoulder capsule that has sidelined him since February. The Mets expected the right-hander to return before June, but Senga had already made the decision to slow down his rehab– just as he resumed throwing off a mound — to work on mechanics. The triceps inflammation reset his throwing program to playing catch upon being cleared.

May 25: Lindor caught looking — and ‘the sun will come up tomorrow’

With one out, a runner on second, and the Mets leading the Giants 2-1 in the seventh inning, shortstop Francisco Lindor decides he’s not going to swing and instead takes a breaking ball right down the middle of the plate for strike three

Lindor’s early decision not to swing at anything was clear — so clear that the clip went viral. After the game, Lindor explained he wasn’t picking up the spin on reliever Randy Rodríguez’s first five pitches. Lindor, however, swung at two of them — so he simply decided not swinging at all was the best option to reach base.

“He hadn’t thrown a strike,” Lindor said. “I made every pitch a strike, and was helping him out. My best bet was to take a pitch. It just so happened that was the one strike the whole at-bat.”

The Mets would lose 7-2 in 10 innings, producing some wry words of encouragement from SNY play-by-play voice Gary Cohen for viewers: “The Mets are now 9-22 in their last 31 games. … Remember, the sun will come up tomorrow, as difficult as that may be to realize.”

May 29 (Part 1): ‘An inflection point’

David Stearns, the Mets’ president of baseball operations, tells reporters it is too early to decide whether the team will offload veterans at the trade deadline

The Mets’ record was 22-30 ahead of a doubleheader against the Dodgers when Stearns insisted he will give the roster until the July 30 trade deadline to claw back into the postseason race. He acknowledged the Mets “haven’t played like a playoff team” but said he believed he had “plenty of time” before weighing trades.

“We haven’t won enough games,” Stearns said, “and we certainly recognize that that’s going to need [to] change.”

Stearns, who was hired after the end of the last season, inherited the most expensive payroll in the majors and a team that had massively failed to reach expectations in 2023. He and Cohen pursued free agent Yoshinobu Yamamoto during the offseason, but they settled for several minor moves once Yamamoto chose to sign with the Dodgers.

The offseason didn’t include a contract extension for Pete Alonso, making the star first baseman a prime trade candidate and intensifying speculation as the Mets struggle to win games.

“Nothing’s changed with Pete’s situation,” Stearns said. “Our goal is, on a daily basis, [to] help this team succeed as much as possible so we can win as many games as possible. And that’s where I expect we’ll continue to be.”

The Dodgers went on to sweep the doubleheader that night.

May 29 (Part 2): The Mets-less Mount Rushmore

Asked to name his Mount Rushmore of New York athletes, Mets outfielder Harrison Bader names zero Mets and three New York Yankees — Derek Jeter, Aaron Judge and Anthony Volpe. The fourth spot goes unoccupied

Bader grew up a Yankees fan in Bronxville and spent parts of the last two seasons playing in the Bronx. Still, the Mets are paying him $10.5 million this season. The bit went viral. Fans were not pleased.

May 29 (Part 3): Injuries, an outburst and a team meeting

Minutes before first pitch against the Dodgers, the Mets announce Díaz was placed on the injured list with a shoulder impingement. Just as that was being digested, Alonso exits the game after being hit by a 93 mph pitch on his right hand in the first inning. Seven innings later, reliever Jorge López is ejected and throws his glove into the stands. After the loss, Lindor calls a players-only team meeting before López splashes gasoline on the fire, telling reporters he doesn’t regret his actions

López’s postgame comments caused a stir, both for his unfiltered candor and a subsequent debate over what he actually said in his second language. Speaking in English, the reliever called himself “the worst teammate in probably the whole f-ing MLB,” though initially there was confusion over whether he said “teammate” or “team.”

Either way, the Mets had seen and heard enough, and he was designated for assignment the next day. In a statement released shortly thereafter, López apologized for his behavior “on and off the field” and clarified his comment.

His former teammates, meanwhile, were seemingly reenergized after airing out their thoughts and concerns in the team meeting that lasted nearly an hour.

Clubhouse leaders, without offering many details, summarized the meeting to the media, with Lindor explaining he believed it was a chance for players to vent and hold themselves accountable. Brandon Nimmo, who said López’s behavior wasn’t directly addressed, called it “very constructive” and “positive.”

“It just felt like a boiling-over point,” Nimmo said. “It felt like the right time to do it.”

Reliever Adam Ottavino explained the floor was open to anyone who wanted to speak. He noted most of the team, including players who usually don’t openly express themselves, volunteered. They spoke of process and of keeping perspective.

“I mean, we stink right now,” Ottavino said. “It doesn’t mean we’re going to stink going forward.”

The good news was tests on Alonso’s hand showed no structural damage. He delivered a pinch-hit double in a win over the Arizona Diamondbacks the next night.

May 31: The roster shake-up

The Mets make six roster moves. Brett Baty, Christian Scott and Omar Narváez are sent out. José Iglesias, Dedniel Núñez and Luis Torrens are brought in

Optioning Baty, a former top prospect, to Triple-A Syracuse was largely expected, because the Mets needed a backup middle infielder and rookie Mark Vientos had outperformed Baty for the starting job at third base.

Demoting Scott, one of the team’s few bright spots this season, was explained as a temporary move as the team navigates an unusual portion of its schedule thanks to this weekend’s trip to London. Acquiring Torrens from the Yankees to replace Narváez was a production-based decision. Narváez was struggling mightily both offensively and defensively.

On the field, the Mets beat the Diamondbacks for the second straight night to open a four-game series. After Friday’s 10-9 win, Vientos noted there was a palpable difference in the vibe after the team meeting.

“Completely different,” Vientos said. “As in — we walk in, the room feels light. There’s good energy. We listen to music. We’re enjoying the game. It’s a kid’s game. So let’s just have fun and play.”

Will June play out better than May did? So far, the results are mixed. The Mets’ post-team-meeting winning streak lasted all of two games, giving way to consecutive losses to Arizona to begin the month and conclude their 10-game homestand, including another draining bullpen implosion Sunday.

Still, the Mets will try for a three-game sweep against lowly Washington on Wednesday. After two much-needed days off, the London Series begins Saturday.

“The front office, they’re going to make decisions no matter what,” Lindor said. “Whether it’s to add or subtract. And whether it’s to focus on the next season or focus on August and September.

“So they’re going to make decisions. I want to be on the side of adding. We don’t have 100-plus games for that moment. But we do have time to make sure we’re above water.”

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Ranking Elite 11 quarterbacks by system fit: Who could thrive at the next level

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June 17, 2025

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Ranking Elite 11 quarterbacks by system fit: Who could thrive at the next level

  • Tom LuginbillJun 17, 2025, 06:15 AM ET

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    • Senior National Recruiting Analyst for ESPN.com
    • Coached in four professional football leagues
    • Graduated from Eastern Kentucky and Marshall

The Elite 11 Finals annually spotlight the nation’s top high school quarterbacks, offering a firsthand look at how the next wave of signal-callers stacks up against elite competition.

With most participants already committed, it’s a valuable window into how these prospects will fit into their future college systems and translate to the next level. Here are the top 10 committed quarterbacks attending the event later this month ranked by system fit.

ESPN 300 ranking: 8

Tennessee’s scheme is plug-and-play friendly and fits Brandon’s big arm and sneaky mobility. There’s a clear trend emerging in Knoxville when it comes to quarterback traits in terms of stature, athleticism and arm strength. Brandon checks all three boxes. He’s very similar to former Vols standout Hendon Hooker and is further along developmentally than Hooker was at Brandon’s age. Though not quite as polished as Nico Iamaleava coming out of high school, Brandon throws a great deep ball, which Tennessee coach Josh Heupel requires from all his quarterbacks. By the time he arrives on campus, it’s likely at least one quarterback currently on the Tennessee roster will have hit the transfer portal.

ESPN 300 ranking: N/A — three-star

Duke offensive coordinator Jonathan Brewer is looking for a run-pass option quarterback with consistent accuracy and high-level production in the run game. Walker is that guy. He’s strikingly similar to Darian Mensah, the quarterback Duke brought in via the transfer portal, only Walker has a stronger arm. The Blue Devils want a dynamic runner at quarterback — something former QB Maalik Murphy wasn’t — and that’s what Walker is. A true playmaker, he also has a sky-high ceiling for development as a passer. Walker’s commitment is more evidence that the perception of Duke is shifting among top-tier recruits.

ESPN 300 ranking: 157

It’s easy to see why Arizona State’s coaching staff loves Fette considering he’s a mirror image of current quarterback Sam Leavitt. Fette is a sandlot-style riverboat gambler who thrives when the play breaks down. He looks like a pocket passer, but has the athleticism of a runner and can stress defenses with his legs. Coach Kenny Dillingham will use a lot of smoke and mirrors with shifts, motions, personnel groupings and backfield action to maximize Fette’s dynamic skill set and make him a threat both inside and outside the pocket.

ESPN 300 ranking: 6

Bell enters an ideal situation. The Longhorns don’t need to rush him, and instead can allow him to develop at his own pace. His fit is quite akin to Arch Manning‘s, and if Bell follows a similar blueprint he will get bigger, stronger and more mature over time. He already displays the tools of a high-level passer and adds value as a more capable runner than Quinn Ewers did in Steve Sarkisian’s system. Bell is a naturally gifted passer with a long track record of performance against elite competition, so he is ready to make the jump.

ESPN 300 ranking: N/A — three-star

Regardless of Carson Beck‘s production this fall, Coleman will be able to deliver the dynamism that Miami showcased with Cam Ward at the helm, which will make the Hurricanes much more difficult to defend. Coleman is the type of player Miami will prefer at quarterback in the long run. He has moxie, a gunslinger’s mentality and a live arm capable of making off-platform plays look routine. Remind you of anyone?

ESPN 300 ranking: 155

It’s easy to see shades of former Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams when watching Jonas Williams. He’s a naturally creative and improvisational quarterback. The play is never over, sometimes to a fault, but often to devastating effect. Williams can move the launch point and change arm angles, especially when asked to get the ball out quickly on screens and underneath throws. He thrives in chaos and can run the play-action offense Lincoln Riley loves to employ.

ESPN 300 ranking: 16

Henderson is another signal-caller with similarities to Darian Mensah, who played for current Houston coach Willie Fritz at Tulane. Landing Henderson was a huge win for Fritz. Henderson is a terrific athlete who can reach 20.6 mph max speed, an elite number for a quarterback. We’re intrigued to see whether he sticks at quarterback or moves to another position. For that reason, he’s more of a developmental player who needs to get more consistent in the passing game, but he has a high ceiling regardless of position.

ESPN 300 ranking: 198

At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Huhn has the kind of stature coach James Franklin and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki love. Though not as mobile as Drew Allar, Huhn is very athletic in the pocket. He can extend plays and shows strong anticipation off play-action. Huhn loves to play under center, which is a valuable trait in a Penn State offense that blends shotgun and traditional looks. With a scheme that frequently shifts the launch point through varied play-action concepts, Huhn’s footwork and functional mobility make him a natural fit.

ESPN 300 ranking: N/A — three-star

It’s still unclear exactly what North Carolina’s offense will look like under Bill Belichick, but recent quarterback additions offer a clue. The Tar Heels brought in dual-threat options in South Alabama transfer Gio Lopez and 2025 commit Bryce Baker. Neither is a traditional pocket passer, nor is Burgess. He’s a great get for North Carolina with his athleticism, live arm, quick release and developmental upside. He also won’t be thrust into action immediately. Once the staff understands his strengths, he’s the kind of player it can build a system around. Though not as tall, he’s reminiscent of NC State’s CJ Bailey.

ESPN 300 ranking: N/A — three-star

Cherry is the prototypical athletic pocket passer for Jeff Brohm’s system. He’s decisive, releases the ball quickly and anticipates plays well. Combine that with Brohm’s tried-and-true scheme, and it’s easy to see why Louisville is a destination for quarterbacks such as Cherry who are looking to up their game. He is similar to Cardinals transfer quarterback Miller Moss in both skill and style. Cherry thrives in quick-game concepts, excels in the intermediate passing attack and is highly effective off deep play-action. Louisville is attractive for Cherry because it always layers good skill players around its quarterback.

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Panthers-Oilers Game 6 preview: Can the Oilers force a Game 7?

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June 17, 2025

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Panthers-Oilers Game 6 preview: Can the Oilers force a Game 7?

Will Tuesday night’s matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers be the final game of the 2024-25 season? Or will there be one more on Friday?

The Panthers lead 3-2 in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final ahead of Game 6 (8 p.m. ET, TNT/Max). If they win, they skate the Cup on home ice. If the Oilers win, Game 7 is back in Edmonton.

Here are notes on the matchup from ESPN Research, as well as betting intel from ESPN BET:

More from Game 5: Recap | Grades

Matchup notes

Florida Panthers at Edmonton Oilers
Game 6 | 8 p.m. ET | TNT/Max

With a 3-2 lead ahead of Game 6 on home ice, the Panthers are now -400 favorites to win the Cup and the Oilers are +300; those numbers are adjusted from prior to Game 5, when both clubs were -110. As for the Conn Smythe Trophy, Sam Bennett remains the leader, but his odds have shifted from +150 to -190. Brad Marchand (+300), Connor McDavid (+700) and Leon Draisaitl (+700) round out the top four.

The Panthers are seeking to become the first team to repeat as Stanley Cup champions by beating the same team since the Montreal Canadiens did so against the Boston Bruins in 1977 and 1978 — for the Habs, those were titles No. 2 and 3 of four straight earned between 1976 and 1979. A Panthers win would be the fourth Stanley Cup for a team based in the state of Florida this decade (the Tampa Bay Lightning won in 2020 and 2021).

The Oilers are facing elimination for the first time in the 2025 playoffs. Last year, they were 5-1 when facing elimination — including three wins in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final after falling behind 3-0. Road teams facing elimination in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final have gone 6-6 in the past 12 occurrences.

Marchand is having a superb Stanley Cup Final, scoring six goals thus far. That marks the most goals in a Cup Final since Esa Tikkanen (1988, also six). Marchand is the first player to score five or more goals with multiple teams in a Cup Final, and his five road goals in this series are the most in a single Cup Final since Jack Adams had six for the Vancouver Millionaires in 1922. With multiple multigoal games in the Cup Final, Marchand joins Jeff Friesen (New Jersey Devils, 2003) and Max Talbot (2009, Pittsburgh Penguins) as the only players to pull off that feat in the past 30 years.

Teammate Sam Bennett is also entering historic territory. With a goal in Edmonton in Game 5, he became the fifth player in NHL history with a streak of six straight road games with a goal. He is also the fourth active NHL player to score 15 goals in a single postseason, joining Zach Hyman (16, 2024), Alex Ovechkin (15, 2018) and Sidney Crosby (15, 2009).

Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky tied the NHL record for most road wins in a single postseason (10). The other five goalies tied atop the list are: Jordan Binnington (St. Louis Blues, 2019), Braden Holtby (Washington Capitals, 2018), Jonathan Quick (Los Angeles Kings, 2012), Miikka Kiprusoff (Calgary Flames, 2004), Martin Brodeur (Devils, 2000 and 1995).

With three goals in this series, Edmonton’s Corey Perry tied Mark Recchi (Bruins, 2011) and Igor Larionov (Detroit Red Wings, 2002) for the most goals by a player age 40 or older in a single Cup Final.

McDavid scored a point in every home game he played since the 4 Nations Face-Off break — a run of 17 straight games, with 36 points in that span. He reached 150 playoff points in 95 games, the third-fastest player in NHL history to reach that benchmark, behind Wayne Gretzky (68 games played) and Mario Lemieux (86).

With one more game-winning goal this series, Draisaitl would become just the third player in the NHL’s modern era (since 1943-44) — and first since 1977 — to have three game winners in a single Stanley Cup Final. The previous players to do so are Jacques Lemaire (1977) and Jean Beliveau (1965 and 1960), both of whom accomplished the feat for the Canadiens.

play

0:47

Oilers coach: We’ve overcome difficult situations before

Kris Knoblauch keeps faith in his Oilers as he reflects on losing Game 5 in Edmonton.

Scoring leaders

GP: 22 | G: 15 | A: 7

GP: 21 | G: 11 | A: 22

Best bets for Game 6

Evander Kane over 4.5 total hits (+107): The Oilers need to be more physical if they hope to have a legitimate shot at pushing this series to a Game 7. Saturday’s team total of 25 hits, including only a pair from Kane, isn’t going to cut it. An aggressive difference-maker when he’s at his best at nearing, but not crossing, the line as he has too often this series, the winger will be one to watch from the get-go Tuesday. Notably, he registered 17 total hits through both overtime games to open this series in Edmonton. Win or lose, Kane is going to serve as a factor. Hopefully for the Oilers, not by earning himself time in the penalty box.

Stuart Skinner under 25.5 total saves (-120): If Skinner — presuming coach Kris Knoblauch goes with his No. 1 netminder to start Game 6 — struggles, or the rest of the Oilers fail to perform well enough out front, he won’t last long enough in the crease to make 26 saves before all is said and done. The leash will be short in this must-win contest. Or perhaps Edmonton’s team defense rises to the occasion and prevents more scoring chances in support of their starting goaltender, as it did in earlier rounds versus Dallas and Vegas.

Connor McDavid first period anytime goal-scorer (+600): After Leon Draisaitl scored the opener in Game 1, the Panthers are perfect in four straight games at catching the back of the net first, outscoring Edmonton 11-4 altogether in the initial period. The Oilers understand reversing that trend would go a long way in helping them survive, particularly by forcing Florida to sway from their stifling defensive play. Who better to look to than McDavid, who finally found the back of the net this series in Saturday’s losing effort? The sport’s best player needs to shoot more, and he knows it. He’ll be revved right up to make a statement, early. — Victoria Matiash

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Ohtani allows 1 run, 2 hits in 28-pitch inning

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June 17, 2025

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Ohtani allows 1 run, 2 hits in 28-pitch inning

  • Alden GonzalezJun 16, 2025, 10:56 PM ET

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      ESPN baseball reporter. Covered the L.A. Rams for ESPN from 2016 to 2018 and the L.A. Angels for MLB.com from 2012 to 2016.

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani jogged off the pitcher’s mound and leaned against the dugout railing while strapping on his elbow guard and batting gloves. He was thrown a towel to wipe the sweat off his face, then walked to the batter’s box to face San Diego Padres ace Dylan Cease without taking any practice swings.

With that, Ohtani began his quest to once again do what many in the sport consider impossible.

Ohtani made his pitching debut from Dodger Stadium on Monday, giving up a run in his lone inning of work, then struck out in his first plate appearance as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ designated hitter, marking the first time he has pitched and hit in a game since Aug. 23, 2023. He would eventually finish 2-4 with two RBIs in his club’s 6-3 victory.

Ohtani is close to 21 months removed from a second repair of his right ulnar collateral ligament but faced hitters only three times before essentially rejoining the Dodgers’ rotation, his last session, from Petco Park in San Diego last Tuesday, spanning three simulated innings and 44 pitches.

Ohtani communicated to the Dodgers that facing hitters hours before games, then cooling off and having to ramp back up to DH later that night, was more taxing on his body than doing both simultaneously, prompting him to return to pitching sooner than expected. These initial starts will basically function as the continuation of Ohtani’s pitching rehab. On Monday, he was basically utilized as an opener.

Ohtani reached 99.9 mph and 100.2 mph with his fastball but also uncorked a wild pitch while utilizing 28 pitches to record the first three outs. Fernando Tatis Jr. led off with a bloop single and Luis Arraez followed with a line-drive single. Ohtani should have recorded a strikeout of Manny Machado, who went around on a two-strike swing. But first-base umpire Ryan Blakney ruled otherwise, bringing the count to 2-2 and later prompting a sacrifice fly to score the game’s first run.

Ohtani followed by inducing groundouts to Gavin Sheets and Xander Bogaerts, and with that, his pitching debut was over.

The Dodgers hope it’s the first of many starts.

Ohtani, 30, functioned as a transformative two-way player from 2021 to 2023, winning two unanimous MVPs and also finishing as the runner-up to Aaron Judge. On offense, Ohtani slashed .277/.379/.585 with 124 home runs and 57 stolen bases. On the mound, he posted a 2.84 ERA with 542 strikeouts and 143 walks in 428⅓ innings.

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