Braves’ Acuña tops Dodgers stars to win NL MVP in unanimous fashion

Atlanta Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. defeated Los Angeles Dodgers teammates Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman to win the 2023 National League MVP in unanimous fashion.

Shohei Ohtani claimed all first-place votes in the AL race, making this the first time both MVPs have been unanimous winners, according to MLB.com’s Sarah Langs.

“From the day that I got to the league, right away, I always knew that I wanted to win an MVP,” Acuña said through an interpreter, according to Bally Sports South. “It was always a dream of mine and I’m living a dream come true.”

Acuña authored a remarkable 2023 campaign, becoming the first player in MLB history to hit 40 home runs and steal 70 bases in a single season.

The 25-year-old slashed .337/.416/.596 with 41 homers, 149 runs scored, 106 RBIs, and 73 stolen bases across 159 games for the Braves.

He’s also the first player to lead his league in hits, runs, on-base percentage, OPS, and total bases since Carl Yastrzemski did so with the Boston Red Sox in 1967, according to The Athletic’s Jayson Stark.

Acuña is the eighth player in Braves history to win the MVP. He joins Freeman, Chipper Jones, Terry Pendleton, Dale Murphy, Hank Aaron, Robert Elliott, and John Evers on the list.

26 different players received NL MVP votes, with San Diego Padres outfielder Juan Soto, Braves third baseman Austin Riley, Miami Marlins batting champion Luis Arraez, New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, and Chicago Cubs slugger Cody Bellinger rounding out the top ten.