Ohtani and Judge unanimously crowned Major League Baseball MVPs
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees were unanimously selected for the 2024 Most Valuable Player awards in Major League Baseball on Thursday.
Following a remarkable season that culminated in his first World Series championship, Ohtani secured the National League MVP award, marking his second consecutive MVP title and third in four years, having previously won the American League MVP in 2021 and 2023 while with the Los Angeles Angels.
"I view this MVP as a representation of the Dodgers," Ohtani stated through a translator. "It was a collective team effort. I would not have achieved this honor without my teammates."
Ohtani is now only the second player in MLB history to win MVP awards in both leagues, following Frank Robinson, who earned the 1961 NL MVP with Cincinnati and the 1966 AL MVP with Baltimore.
He also made history as the first player in MLB to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season.
The 30-year-old Japanese star and Judge, the 2022 AL MVP, each received all 30 first-place votes from a panel of media members. This marks only the second instance of both MVPs being unanimous selections, following last year when Ohtani won in the AL and Ronald Acuña Jr. in the NL.
Ohtani is the first designated hitter to win an MLB MVP award. He claimed the last two titles while excelling as both a pitcher and a batter, although he spent this season recovering from an injury that prevented him from pitching.
Ohtani expressed his ambition to return to the mound in 2025.
"My primary focus is to regain my health, return stronger, get back on the mound, and demonstrate my capabilities," Ohtani remarked.
Having signed a historic 10-year contract worth $700 million with the Dodgers last December, Ohtani played a pivotal role in leading the team to the World Series title, defeating the Yankees in the best-of-seven series.
"The ultimate objective from the outset was to win a World Series, which we successfully achieved," Ohtani concluded. "My next goal is to replicate that success."
Currently, I am undergoing rehabilitation, focusing on my fitness and strength, and I eagerly anticipate the upcoming season to have another opportunity to compete.
Ohtani achieved a .310 batting average, leading the National League with 54 home runs and driving in 130 runs while successfully stealing 59 bases across 159 regular-season games.
"I did not set specific numerical targets, but I aimed to enhance my stolen base statistics," Ohtani remarked.
"My primary focus was not on winning the MVP award as the season began; rather, I concentrated on integrating with my new team."
Midway through the season, Ohtani took on the role of leadoff hitter in the batting lineup to help improve the team's offensive performance.
"I did not significantly alter my approach," he explained. "It was more about adhering to my established game plan, being aggressive on the bases, and performing to the best of my abilities."
Judge, a 32-year-old American power hitter, recorded a .322 batting average with 122 runs scored, 36 doubles, 58 home runs, 144 RBIs, and 133 walks in 158 games this past season, leading Major League Baseball in home runs, walks, and RBIs.
"Receiving a second MVP trophy holds great significance for me," Judge stated. "It reflects the hard work put in during the off-season and the various challenges faced throughout the season."
"I would not be in this position without the support of my teammates and the coaching staff we had this year—it's truly a blessing."
The Yankees' defeat in the World Series to the Dodgers has already motivated Judge's preparations for the next season.
"It fuels your desire for more," Judge expressed. "It encourages you to rise early and get started in the off-season to position yourself for another chance and to alter the outcome next year."
SportsLigue