When history wasn’t just made but shattered, Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge redefined the limits of baseball greatness. That left the Baseball Writers’ Association of America with the simplest of decisions for their MVP honors.
The announcement on MLB Network was a formality Thursday night: Both superstars were unanimously crowned Most Valuable Player, a feat that has now happened in consecutive seasons after being unprecedented until 2023.
Ohtani: The First 50-50 Season in MLB History
Two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani cemented his legacy with a jaw-dropping 2024 campaign. A year removed from elbow surgery that kept him from pitching, Ohtani became a baserunning menace to go along with his prodigious power at the plate. Now a member of the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, he authored a season for the ages: 54 home runs, 59 stolen bases, 38 doubles, seven triples, and a .310/.390/.646 slash line.
Ohtani shattered the edges of what was considered possible in the sport when he became the first player ever to record a 50-50 season. No player had ever hit 50 home runs while swiping more than 24 bases in a single season until his achievement. He became the third player to place in the top two in MLB in both homers and steals in the same season, joining baseball icons Honus Wagner and Ty Cobb.
“It was a complete team effort,” Ohtani said through his interpreter Matt Hidaka. “I wouldn’t have been able to receive this award if it weren’t for my teammates. This award represents the Dodgers.”
Ohtani’s dominance extended beyond individual milestones. On September 19, he delivered one of the most extraordinary single-game performances in MLB history, going 6-for-6 with three home runs, two doubles, 10 RBIs, and two stolen bases in Miami.
His MVP victory marked the third of his career, his first in the National League, and he became only the second player-along with Hall of Famer Frank Robinson-to win MVP in both leagues. Ohtani is also the first full-time designated hitter to claim the honor, although calling him “just” a hitter underplays his unparalleled versatility. He will return to pitching in 2025, adding yet another chapter to his already legendary career.
Judge: A Modern-Era Offensive Masterpiece
On the other side of the ledger, Yankees captain Aaron Judge proved his 2022 AL MVP season was no fluke, delivering another historic campaign that ranks among the best ever by a right-handed hitter. Even though he finished four home runs shy of his American League single-season record of 62, Judge still topped the major leagues in several key offensive categories: 58 home runs, 144 RBIs, a .458 on-base percentage, .701 slugging, and an astronomical 1.159 OPS. His 223 OPS+—a measure of offensive production adjusted for league and park factors—was the best by a right-handed batter in the modern era (since 1901).
Judge credited his performance in part to hitting behind Juan Soto, who served as an on-base machine for the Yankees.
“These guys, seeing the pitches, it gave me a better idea of what to expect,” Judge said. “It’s pretty cool what Juan does. It made me better every single at-bat.
But beyond the offense, Judge’s value defensively can’t be undersold. The 6-foot-7, 282-pounder spent much of his summer patrolling center field to accommodate what the Yankees needed from their lineup. His ability to adapt-and excel for the team-only helped his MVP credentials.
The team needed me in center field, and I said, ‘I’ll play wherever you need me,'” Judge said. “The most important thing is making sure everyone’s comfortable, and that includes Juan.”
Judge’s unanimous selection made him only the second Yankee to achieve the feat, joining Mickey Mantle (1956). The Yankees now boast 22 MVP winners, the most of any franchise.
Historic Seasons Amid Elite Competition
While Francisco Lindor and Bobby Witt Jr. had stellar seasons for the Mets and Royals, respectively, their efforts paled in comparison to Ohtani and Judge. Lindor’s 33 homers, 29 steals, and elite defense helped lead the Mets to October, while Witt became the first player ever to tally 30 homers, 40 doubles, 10 triples, and 25 steals in a season. Both were remarkable but ultimately overshadowed by the unprecedented seasons of the MVP winners.
A Legacy of Greatness
Ohtani and Judge didn’t just elevate their teams, they elevated the game itself. Ohtani became the Dodgers’ 13th MVP and joined Miguel Cabrera as the only players to win back-to-back MVP awards since 2012-13. While Judge solidified his status as one of the best right-handed hitters ever, his performance transcended a league-wide downturn in offense.
Although the specific individual moments that might have been expected from such a World Series clash, their respective roads to October were the stuff of legend. These two players didn’t just break records; they changed the paradigm on what is possible in today’s game. And with both still in their prime, more history surely awaits them.
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