On Thursday night, the world of Major League Baseball witnessed what was widely anticipated: Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees were named the Most Valuable Players (MVPs) of their respective leagues for the 2024 season. The Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) announced the results, confirming Ohtani's and Judge's remarkable performances with unanimous votes.
This season marked Ohtani’s third MVP title and his first National League MVP award. It was truly historic, as he became the first player ever to record both 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in one season. Coming off his record-setting $700 million contract with the Dodgers, Ohtani stepped up to plate, wrapping the year with impressive stats, including hitting .310 and leading the National League with 54 home runs and 130 runs batted in (RBIs).
“I’m just representing the Dodgers,” Ohtani said through his translator. He emphasized the collective effort of his teammates, stressing, “I wouldn’t have been able to receive this award if it weren’t for my teammates.” Ohtani’s efforts were key to the Dodgers clinching their eighth World Series title, even as he didn't pitch this season due to elbow surgery.
For his performance, Ohtani was also awarded other accolades, such as the 2024 Hank Aaron award as the most outstanding offensive player and his third Silver Slugger award. His previous MVP wins came during his tenure with the Los Angeles Angels, where he began his major league career back in 2018.
Joining Ohtani as finalists for the National League MVP were New York Mets' Francisco Lindor and Arizona Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte. Meanwhile, Judge’s triumph added to his legacy. The Yankees captain reclaimed the AL MVP title after a stellar season, marking the second time he has earned the honor. This makes him the first Yankee to win the award unanimously since the legendary Mickey Mantle did so back in 1956.
Judge made headlines with his immense contribution, leading all of Major League Baseball with 58 home runs and 144 RBIs. “It means a lot,” Judge commented on his MVP win. He reflected on the hard work he put during the offseason and the unwavering support from his teammates and fans, stating, “Just everybody who helped me get to this spot.” After winning his own Hank Aaron award, Judge solidified his stature as one of baseball’s elite.
The dynamics of Judge's season demonstrated his abilities as one of the most complete players today, supported by Yankees manager Aaron Boone’s praising words, “After having a front-row seat for his 2022 MVP performance, I couldn’t envision this player having a more complete baseball season. But that's exactly what he accomplished.” Judge stood tall over worthy competitors, including his teammate Juan Soto and Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. Boone congratulated Judge not only for the recognition but also for his leadership on and off the field.
Both players’ unanimous honors highlight not just their individual talents but also serve as testaments to their leadership, dedication, and the impact they have had on their respective teams this season. Each award encapsulated the essence of teamwork; without the collaboration and support from their peers, these accolades would be less meaningful.
Looking forward, the expectations for both Ohtani and Judge will certainly heighten. With their recent accomplishments engraved on baseball’s modern lore, the coming seasons will undoubtedly be closely watched by fans and experts alike. Can Ohtani continue to set the bar even higher? Will Judge break his own records? Only time will tell. For now, both players can bask in the glory of their recent achievements, fully embracing their roles as baseball icons.
