MLB announced on Thursday that Aaron Judge, a center fielder for the New York Yankees, was chosen the American League MVP and Shohei Ohtani, a designated hitter for the Los Angeles Dodgers, was named the National League MVP.
In 2021 and 2023, the 30-year-old Ohtani was named the AL MVP. He led the NL in the latter two categories with a.310 batting average, 54 home runs, and 130 RBI in his debut season with the Dodgers. Ohtani finished second in hits and first in OPS for the league.
Ohtani was the first big leaguer to ever record at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. He also stole 59 bases, which was second among all players, in addition to his skill at the plate.
After spending the first six years of his Major League Baseball career with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani inked a 10-year, $700 million contract with Los Angeles before to the 2024 season. Ohtani is a national hero in Japan, where he played professionally for five seasons before to moving to the United States.
Yoshimasa Hayashi, the chief spokesperson for the Japanese government, sent Ohtani his “sincere congratulations.” In Tokyo on Friday, he told reporters, “I look forward to even greater successes by Mr. Ohtani for the next season and beyond.”
Ohtani played a crucial part in the Dodgers’ journey to the World Series after helping them to the best regular-season record in MLB. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in September 2023, Ohtani, a two-way sensation and starting pitcher, did not play for Los Angeles this season.
Judge received the 2022 MVP award after his Yankees fell to the Dodgers in five games during the World Series. For New York last season, he hit.322 with 58 home runs and 144 RBIs. He finished third in batting average and led the AL in OPS, home runs, and RBIs.
In 2016, the 32-year-old Judge made his professional debut with the Yankees. In two of the last three seasons, he has hit 50 or more home runs, including 62 in 2022. In December of that year, he signed a nine-year, $360 million contract with New York.
With 94 victories, the Yankees, under Judge’s leadership, took first place in the AL. It was their first World Series appearance since 2009.
