Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge Crowned MVPs After Stellar Seasons
Los Angeles Dodgers’ designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and New York Yankees’ center fielder Aaron Judge were named the National League and American League MVPs, respectively, as announced by MLB on Thursday. Both players were instrumental in leading their teams to the World Series last month.
Ohtani’s Historic Season in the NL
Shohei Ohtani, 30, added to his growing legacy by claiming his third MVP award, having previously won the AL MVP in 2021 and 2023. In his debut season with the Dodgers, Ohtani dazzled with a .310 batting average, 54 home runs, and 130 RBIs, leading the National League in both homers and RBIs. He also topped the NL in OPS and ranked second in total hits.
Ohtani made history as the first MLB player ever to achieve at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season, finishing with 59 stolen bases—second among all players. His electrifying performance at the plate was complemented by his leadership in driving the Dodgers to the best regular-season record in MLB and their eventual World Series triumph.
Though renowned as a two-way superstar, Ohtani did not pitch this season following Tommy John surgery in September 2023. He joined the Dodgers on a groundbreaking 10-year, $700 million deal before the 2024 season, leaving behind six stellar seasons with the Los Angeles Angels and a successful career in Japan.
Judge Shines Again for the Yankees
Aaron Judge, 32, earned his second MVP award, adding to his 2022 accolade, after leading the Yankees to their first World Series appearance since 2009. Judge hit an impressive .322 with 58 home runs and 144 RBIs, pacing the AL in homers, RBIs, and OPS while finishing third in batting average.
Judge’s dominance at the plate has been a hallmark of his career, with two seasons of at least 50 home runs in the past three years, including a record-setting 62 homers in 2022. The Yankees locked in their franchise cornerstone with a nine-year, $360 million contract signed in December 2022.
Under Judge’s leadership, the Yankees secured the AL’s best record with 94 wins before falling to the Dodgers in a five-game World Series. Despite the loss, Judge’s performance cemented his place as one of the league’s most consistent and prolific hitters.
Both Ohtani and Judge’s remarkable seasons showcase the extraordinary talent and leadership they bring to their respective teams, further solidifying their status among the sport’s all-time greats.
