Angels' Shohei Ohtani Receives Commissioner's Special Achievement Award

Rob Manfred recognized Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani with the Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award.

Unlike other postseason honors, the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award isn't handed out on an annual basis. New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter and former longtime Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully were the most recent recipients in 2014.

"This award is not given out every year so it’s very special," Ohtani said Tuesday. "I’m not sure I even deserve it. But if Mr. Manfred is going to give it to me I will gladly accept."

The 27-year-old put together a season that may not be replicated for another generation or more.

He hit 46 home runs, drove in 100 runs and posted a .257/.372/.592 slash line at the plate. Despite playing almost exclusively at designated hitter, his 5.1 WAR were 18th among position players, per FanGraphs.

The right-hander also made 23 starts, going 9-2, posting a 3.18 ERA and striking out 156 batters over 130.1 innings.

Ohtani's ability as a two-way player was a big reason why his arrival ahead of the 2018 season was so highly anticipated. But nobody could've predicted he'd excel in the way he did.

This is unlikely to be the last piece of hardware Ohtani collects this fall. He's a finalist for the Silver Slugger at designated hitter, and his performance makes him an MVP front-runner despite the Angels finishing fourth in the American League West at 77-85.