Major League Baseball's two-way star Ohtani Shohei has called his winning a second Most Valuable Player Award in the American League "something special."
Ohtani was speaking on Thursday in a program in which the MVP announcement was made.
Asked about winning the award after finishing second to Aaron Judge last year, Ohtani said he wanted to win last year too, but Judge was spectacular and deserved it.
He also mentioned his rivals for this year's award, Corey Seager and Marcus Semien of the Texas Rangers, and praised them for winning the World Series.
Ohtani said he worked hard to make this year's season as great as theirs, and that his individual award is something special.
Speaking about his second surgery on his right elbow in September, Ohtani said he feels his recovery is going even smoother than the first time. He added that he's confident he'll be able to enter next season without a hitch.
He said he's telling himself not to rush, but wants to be ready to play when the season starts.