Baseball phenom Shohei Ohtani has been named as a finalist for the coveted League MVP award. The gifted player, known for his exceptional skills both as a hitter and as a pitcher, has drawn worldwide attention for his performance with the Los Angeles Angels this season. The announcement comes after a string of strong performances on the field, solidifying his status as one of the world's most versatile athletes.

Baseball is extremely popular in Japan, and the rise of a Japanese player to the top echelons of the sport, particularly in the major leagues abroad, is seen with great national pride. Ohtani's success is a major talking point and is seen as indicative of the talent and ability of Japanese athletes on a global scale.

In the US, sports figures are also celebrated, but the elevation of a player to superstar status tends to be based on ongoing success rather than one excellent season. Success in Major League Baseball is also highly valued, but there is a greater diversity of popular sports in the US.