Yankees' Aaron Judge and Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani win MLB MVP awards

Create your free profile or log in to save this article Create your free profile or log in to save this article Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge were named MVP of the National League and American League, respectively, MLB announced Thursday. Ohtani, 30, previously won the AL MVP in 2021 and 2023. In his first year with the Dodgers, he hit .310 with 54 home runs and 130 RBI — leading the NL in the latter two categories. Ohtani also led the league in OPS and finished second in hits. In addition to his prowess at the plate, Ohtani stole 59 bases, second among all players, making him the first major leaguer ever with at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. Los Angeles signed Ohtani to a 10-year, $700 million contract before the 2024 season after he spent the first six years of his MLB career with the Los Angeles Angels. Ohtani played professionally in Japan for five seasons before coming to the United States. Ohtani helped lead the Dodgers to the best record in MLB in the regular season, then played a key role in their World Series run. A two-way star who is also a starting pitcher, Ohtani did not pitch for Los Angeles this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in September 2023. Judge — whose Yankees lost to the Dodgers in five games in the World Series — previously won MVP in 2022. Judge hit .322 with 58 home runs and 144 RBI for New York last season. He led the AL in OPS, homers, RBI and finished third in batting average. Judge, 32, made his professional debut with the Yankees in 2016. He has hit at least 50 home runs in two of the last three seasons, including 62 in 2022. New York signed Judge to a nine-year, $360 million contract in December of that year. The Yankees, led by Judge, finished first in the AL with 94 wins. Their World Series appearance in 2024 was the franchise’s first since 2009.