![](https://ftw.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/2023/11/Screen-Shot-2023-11-16-at-4.38.12-PM.png?w=1000&h=600&crop=1)
The American League MVP award was announced on Thursday, and really, there was never much suspense over who was winning the honor. Two-way superstar and unrestricted free agent Shohei Ohtani won his second AL MVP in three years. He’s the first player to win MVP unanimously twice.
But the true star of the announcement wasn’t even Ohtani. No, it was his dog who joined him on the couch for the live interview with MLB Network.
I mean, look at this dog!
AL MVP finalist Shohei Ohtani breaks down why he thinks 2023 was his best season yet in the Major Leagues. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ddF1iAMQVk
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 16, 2023
Sure, Ohtani hit 44 home runs AND posted a 3.14 ERA this season. That’s superhuman stuff, yeah. He’s going to get paid half a billion this offseason — we know. But THAT dog is adorable. We should be talking about that puppy.
Needless to say, MLB fans were thrilled that the dog joined Ohtani on the telecast. Baseball is in good hands.
This was how Twitter reacted
AL MVP is being announced on MLB Network at the moment, but Shohei Ohtani's puppy is more important imo pic.twitter.com/IevUJPQ6Jn
— kennedi landry (@kennlandry) November 16, 2023
Shohei Ohtani with doggy💛
大谷くん🥹🥹 pic.twitter.com/dq5MdPUjWa— 🦄 (@zh_sho_o_sy0O2z) November 16, 2023
Ohtani’s dog can do some tricks omg it’s so cute they’re the cutest pic.twitter.com/JjyPZWTqhN
— 大谷翔平 ¹⁷ 🦄 Ohtani Shohei ¹⁷ (@shoheisaveus) November 16, 2023
SHOHEI OHTANI + PUPPY REVEAL
The content we all needed pic.twitter.com/fqhb0fopVI
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) November 16, 2023
Shohei Ohtani’s dog is about to become the most famous dog in the world
— Clinton Yates (@clintonyates) November 16, 2023
Today is great day because Shohei Ohtani is unanimous MVP and we get to see him with his cutie dog🐶✨ #ShoheiOhtanipic.twitter.com/F35FPmw3mY
— 🍬¹⁷ (@randamthought) November 16, 2023
Just when you thought you couldn’t love Shohei Ohtani anymore you find out he’s a dog guy! We need to know the name of his pup. #mlb #mlbawards pic.twitter.com/NQdSDjg8Md
— Alison Mastrangelo (@AlisonWSB) November 16, 2023
Shohei Ohtani winning AL MVP with his dog on his lap is just the greatest thing ever.
— Maria Martin (@Ria_Martin) November 16, 2023
living for the Shohei Ohtani dog reveal pic.twitter.com/S9PuDE594w
— Fela Cutie (@CarmanTse) November 16, 2023