The 2024 MLB Most Valuable Players are also the 2025 Most Valuable Players.
Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers) and Aaron Judge (New York Yankees) respectively obtained the title of “MVP” of the National and the American Thursday evening.
Ohtani doubled Kyle Schwarber (Philadelphia Phillies) and Juan Soto (New York Mets). Ohtani was named Most Outstanding Player for the fourth time in his career and for a third season in a row.
The Japanese received the honor in the American in 2023 and in the National in 2024. He thus became the second player in the history of the Majors with at least four MVP titles, only after Barry Bonds’ seven titles.
Since he is 31 years old, Ohtani could well surpass Bonds by the end of his career. Especially if those honors lead to more World Series.
“If I play well individually, that means I’m helping the team win, so in that sense, I hope to win a few more MVP awards,” Ohtani said through a translator. But at the end of the day, the most important thing is to win games. »
In his second season with the Dodgers, Ohtani posted a .282 batting average and hit 55 home runs, second in the NL behind Kyle Schwarber’s 56 home runs.
Ohtani also returned to the mound after a season of not pitching due to Tommy John surgery. In 14 starts, Ohtani was 1-1 with a 2.87 ERA.
Ohtani struck out 62 batters in 47 innings of work.
Among the finalists, Schwarber set a career high with 56 home runs, nine more than his previous personal mark. Schwarber batted .240 and drove in 132 runs, first in the majors.
Soto used his first season with the New York Mets to also set a career-high 43 home runs. Soto also produced 105 points while maintaining a .263 batting average.
For his part, Judge was in the running for the title alongside Cal Raleigh (Seattle Mariners) and José Ramirez (Cleveland Guardians).
Judge edged out Raleigh with a 17-13 lead in first-place votes.
Judge therefore became the third different player in the history of the circuit to receive the title of MVP three times in the space of four seasons, after Bonds and Ohtani.
Judge is also the fourth player to win three MVP titles in a New York Yankees uniform, after Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio.
Asked about his place in the history of major league baseball and the Yankees, Judge recognized being part of an exceptional group.
“I’m having trouble realizing it,” he said. It’s incredible, because I play to win, for my teammates, my family and all the New York fans. »
He later added: “I don’t believe my eyes every day. It is a truly extraordinary honor. »
This season, Judge hit 53 home runs in 152 games and had the best batting average in the majors, with a .331 average. Judge also finished the season ranked fifth in the majors with 114 RBIs.
Raleigh finished atop the major leagues with 60 long balls.
He played 119 games as a catcher and 38 as a pinch hitter.
“Cal is a special player,” Judge said. I could spend all night talking about what a player he is, but what really stood out to me during the All-Star Game was his leadership and personality. »
