Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani breaks David Ortiz record with early All-Star nod

Shohei Ohtani is once again headed to the All-Star Game, and this time he gets there with a piece of history attached. The Dodgers superstar was named the National League’s starting designated hitter for the 2026 All-Star Game after finishing as the leading vote-getter in Phase 1 of fan balloting.

According to MLB stats researcher Sarah Langs, the selection marks Ohtani’s sixth All-Star start at DH, breaking a tie with David Ortiz for the most starts at the position in All-Star Game history.

Ohtani and Ortiz had been level at five, and this nod pushes Ohtani clear of the Red Sox great for sole possession of the record.

The 31-year-old earned the spot the easy way. He led the Majors with 3,341,257 votes, securing the automatic starting bid that goes to each league’s top overall vote-getter after Phase 1. It is the first time he has been the top overall vote-getter, a notable first for a player who has spent years as one of the sport’s biggest draws.

The nod gives Ohtani his sixth straight All-Star appearance, the latest mark for a player who already owns four unanimous MVP awards.

His 2026 season explains the support. Ohtani shook off a slow start at the plate and is now slashing .295/.414/.549 with a .963 OPS and a team-leading 17 home runs. He has been just as impactful on the mound, where his 1.58 ERA ranks second among all pitchers with at least 50 innings. That two-way dominance has again made him the face of the sport.

The DH selection does not guarantee a pitching role. Ohtani could still earn a two-way nod through the player ballot or a Commissioner’s Office selection.

The Midsummer Classic is set for July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, and Ohtani may not arrive alone. Seven other Dodgers advanced to Phase 2 of voting, giving Los Angeles a chance to stack the NL starting lineup behind their headliner.

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