local
Shohei Ohtani has been brilliant on the mound this year, but he's still a long shot for the Cy Young
By NOAH TRISTER, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports
· June 22, 2026
· 1 min read
Shohei Ohtani has won four MVPs, and now he's making an impressive bid for an honor that has thus far eluded the two-way star: the Cy Young Award. Problem is, the competition in the National League might be a little too stiff this year. Ohtani is 7-2 with a 1.47 ERA so far this season. [...]
Key takeaway Problem is, the competition in the National League might be a little too stiff this year.
Why this matters in The McAllen
For baseball fans in the Rio Grande Valley, Shohei Ohtani's impressive pitching performance is a welcome storyline, even if the Cy Young Award remains a long shot. As the region's sports enthusiasts follow Ohtani's progress, they're likely drawing comparisons to the talented pitchers who have come through the McAllen -Edinburg-Mission metro area's own baseball programs. The success of players like Ohtani can inspire young athletes in local leagues and schools, where baseball is a beloved sport. With Ohtani's achievements sparking excitement nationwide, his bid for the Cy Young Award may also boost interest in baseball among Valley residents, potentially leading to increased participation in local baseball programs and a stronger following for the sport in the community. As the season unfolds, Valley baseball fans will be watching Ohtani's progress closely, eager to see if he can overcome the stiff competition in the National League.
About this story
Original reporting by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . The McAllen surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Shohei Ohtani has won four MVPs, and now he's making an impressive bid for an honor that has thus far eluded the two-way star: the Cy Young Award. Problem is, the competition in the National League might be a little too stiff this year. Ohtani is 7-2 with a 1.47 ERA so far this season. [...]
When was this published? This article was first published on June 22, 2026 by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by NOAH TRISTER, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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