Shohei on leading all NL players in Phase 1 voting and being named the National League’s starting DH!

In what has become an annual celebration of greatness, Shohei Ohtani continues to rewrite the expectations of what one man can do on a baseball field. Now, in his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani has once again captured the attention—and the admiration—of the baseball world. With the announcement that he led all National League players in Phase 1 of All-Star voting and will serve as the starting designated hitter for the NL squad in the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, Ohtani’s star has never shined brighter.

For Ohtani, who made history during his time with the Angels as the first player to be selected to the All-Star Game as both a pitcher and hitter, this year’s nod holds a different kind of meaning. It’s not about breaking barriers. It’s about affirming his place as not just the game’s most captivating figure, but its most consistently excellent one. In 2025, he’s doing it in Dodger blue—and the fans have responded with overwhelming support.

Ohtani received over 4.1 million votes in Phase 1, comfortably outpacing all other players across both leagues. It was a clear sign that, even in a sport brimming with young talent and resurgent veterans, there remains only one Shohei. The National League DH race wasn’t close. He was the people’s choice—and the numbers back it up.

Through late June, Ohtani has been posting MVP-level numbers: a .322 batting average, 24 home runs, 62 RBIs, and a league-best .998 OPS. His blend of power, speed, and plate discipline makes him a nightmare for pitchers. Despite not taking the mound this season as he recovers from elbow surgery, Ohtani’s offensive production alone has made him an overwhelming All-Star.

In a postgame interview following the announcement, Ohtani was characteristically humble, offering thanks to fans, teammates, and the Dodgers organization for embracing him so completely in his first year in the National League.

“I’m honored and grateful,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “There are so many great players in this league, and to be voted in by the fans means a lot. I want to keep working hard and do my best to represent the Dodgers and the National League.”

His journey to this moment is not just a story of numbers, but of resilience and transition. After five seasons with the Angels, Ohtani stunned the baseball world in the offseason by signing a 10-year, $700 million megadeal with the Dodgers—a contract that signaled not only a financial commitment but a symbolic one. The Dodgers weren’t just acquiring a player—they were embracing a phenomenon.

Since arriving in L.A., Ohtani has thrived on and off the field. He’s settled into the DH role with precision, quickly becoming the centerpiece of a loaded Dodgers lineup that includes Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Will Smith. Though a torn UCL has sidelined him from pitching duties in 2025, Ohtani hasn’t missed a beat at the plate.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Ohtani for his consistency and presence in the clubhouse.

“He’s everything we hoped for and more,” Roberts said. “He comes in early, he works harder than anyone, and he elevates everyone around him. He deserves every bit of recognition he gets.”

The All-Star Game nod is the latest accolade in what has been a season full of highlights. From walk-off homers to three-hit games against division rivals, Ohtani has delivered when it matters most. But it’s not just the highlights that impress—it’s the routine dominance.

“He turns the extraordinary into the everyday,” said MLB Network’s Harold Reynolds. “There’s nothing Shohei can’t do at the plate. He’s a generational hitter, and he’s not even at 100%.”

Fans have rallied behind him with unmatched enthusiasm. His jersey is once again the top seller in all of baseball, and crowds flock to ballparks across the country just for the chance to watch him take batting practice. At home, Dodger Stadium has become a global stage, filled with Japanese media, international tourists, and children wearing No. 17 T-shirts.

The voting process for the All-Star Game’s Phase 1 is always a measure of both popularity and performance. But in Ohtani’s case, it’s also a measure of cultural resonance. He transcends baseball. His story—of perseverance, skill, and unprecedented duality—resonates across borders and generations.

Commissioner Rob Manfred has called Ohtani “a gift to the sport,” and many in MLB’s executive offices view his presence as essential to the game’s global expansion efforts.

“He’s the face of baseball,” said MLB marketing executive Tara Williams. “He’s a superstar on and off the field, and his impact can’t be overstated.”

Ohtani’s All-Star honor is not without context. The National League DH position has undergone significant evolution in recent years, with established hitters like Bryce Harper, J.D. Martinez, and Marcell Ozuna often rotating in and out. But none bring the consistency—or the fan magnetism—that Ohtani provides.

Even more notable is that Ohtani is doing all of this while carrying the added pressure of being the most talked-about athlete in the sport. Every swing, every slump, every stat line is dissected. Yet he remains calm, unbothered, and fully committed to the work.

“I try not to think about outside pressure,” Ohtani said. “Every day is about getting better. That’s my goal. That’s what I focus on.”

In the All-Star Game itself, Ohtani’s role as the NL’s starting DH will be central. With the game set to take place at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, Ohtani will once again share the field with baseball’s best, but this time on the National League side. It’s another landmark moment in a career that’s already seen him rack up MVP awards, Silver Sluggers, and All-Star selections.

For fans, the opportunity to see Ohtani on the national stage in Dodger blue adds another layer of intrigue. While his Angels years were filled with individual brilliance but team underachievement, his 2025 campaign has the added weight of championship expectations.

“I want to win,” Ohtani said earlier this season. “That’s why I came to L.A. I want to be part of a team that plays in October.”

That desire has been evident from the jump. He’s not only produced on the field but has quietly become a leader in the Dodgers clubhouse. Veteran teammates describe him as focused, humble, and relentlessly driven. He doesn’t speak often in public, but when he does, it’s purposeful.

“Shohei’s got that aura,” said Mookie Betts. “You just know when he steps on the field, something big might happen.”

As the All-Star break approaches, Ohtani is also a frontrunner in early MVP projections, even without his pitching contributions. If he continues his torrid pace, he could become the first player in MLB history to win MVP awards in both leagues—a testament to his singular impact on the game.

“It’s hard to explain what he means to the sport,” said ESPN analyst Tim Kurkjian. “He’s not just having a great year—he’s making history every day. And we may never see anything like it again.”

For now, fans can look ahead to July, when Shohei will once again take center stage, this time batting third for the National League All-Stars and representing the Dodgers in his first Midsummer Classic as a member of the NL.

“I’m excited to be there,” Ohtani said. “It’s always an honor. I just want to enjoy the moment and compete with the best players in the world.”

Baseball is a game built on tradition, but Shohei Ohtani is forging a new kind of legacy—one that bridges eras, cultures, and possibilities. As he takes the field in Texas, with millions watching across the globe, one thing will be clear: this is Shohei’s world. The rest of us are lucky to witness it.