They are the best of the best.
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees have been named the Most Valuable Players in their respective leagues, with Ohtani earning the National League MVP and Judge claiming the American League honor. Ohtani, who previously secured AL MVP titles in 2021 and 2023, had a remarkable first season with the Dodgers. He posted a .310 batting average, slugged 54 home runs, and drove in 130 RBIs, leading the NL in both home runs and RBIs. Ohtani also ranked second in hits and finished at the top of the league in OPS. In addition to his offensive achievements, he made history by becoming the first player in MLB history to record at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season, swiping 59 bags in total.
Although Ohtani was unable to pitch in 2024 due to recovery from Tommy John surgery in late 2023, his impact remained immense. His performance helped the Dodgers secure the best regular-season record and a World Series title. Before the season, Ohtani signed a groundbreaking 10-year, $700 million contract, cementing his status as a global sports icon. His success has been widely celebrated, both in the U.S. and in Japan, where his achievements have been lauded by government officials.
Meanwhile, Aaron Judge earned his second MVP trophy after a standout season for the Yankees. He posted a .322 average, launched 58 home runs, and drove in 144 RBIs, leading the AL in all three categories. Judge’s impressive power numbers are nothing new, as he surpassed 50 home runs in two of the last three seasons, including a historic 62 in 2022. His leadership was instrumental in guiding the Yankees to 94 wins, clinching the AL’s top spot and returning to the World Series for the first time since 2009, though they ultimately fell short against the Dodgers.
Both Ohtani and Judge have solidified themselves as essential players for their teams, with Ohtani’s elite two-way ability and Judge’s consistent power both playing major roles in their teams’ triumphs. Their remarkable performances underscore their status as the most valuable players in baseball, each leaving a lasting legacy on the sport.
