Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees have been named Major League Baseball’s Most Valuable Players in unanimous decisions by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Both players delivered historic performances in the 2024 season, cementing their status as generational talents.
Ohtani’s Unmatched Excellence
In his debut season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani captured his third career MVP award and first in the National League. Despite not pitching this season following elbow surgery, the 30-year-old’s offensive prowess led the Dodgers to their eighth World Series title.
Historic Milestones:
First player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season.
Led the National League with 54 home runs, 130 RBIs, and a .310 batting average.
Stole a staggering 59 bases, showcasing his unmatched versatility.
Award Collection:
Third career Silver Slugger.
2024 Hank Aaron Award.
2024 Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter of the Year.
Ohtani’s MVP honors make him only the second player to win the award in both leagues, joining Hall of Famer Frank Robinson. He is the first to achieve this feat in consecutive seasons.
With this win, Ohtani joins the elite ranks of MLB players with three MVP awards, including legends like Barry Bonds, Mickey Mantle, and Albert Pujols.
Judge’s Dominance for the Yankees
Aaron Judge, the captain of the New York Yankees, claimed his second career MVP award after leading the team to its first World Series appearance since 2009. Judge’s performance solidified his place among the Yankees’ greats.
League-Leading Stats:
58 home runs, the most in MLB.
144 RBIs and 133 walks, demonstrating his impact at the plate.
Other Achievements:
Winner of the 2024 Hank Aaron Award for outstanding offensive performance.
First player to record at least 140 RBIs since Prince Fielder.
At 32, Judge becomes the first Yankee to win MVP unanimously since Mickey Mantle in 1956. His leadership and consistency throughout the season earned praise from his manager, Aaron Boone, who lauded Judge’s historic contributions:
“I couldn’t envision a player having a better and more complete baseball season. But that’s exactly what he accomplished in 2024.”
Looking Ahead
Both Ohtani and Judge have cemented their legacies with their respective performances. Ohtani continues to redefine what is possible in baseball, while Judge’s dominance ensures his place among the game’s all-time greats. As these MVPs lead their teams into a new era, fans can look forward to more record-breaking performances in the seasons to come.
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