Aaron Judge unanimously wins the American League MVP for the second time in three seasons, solidifying his status as a premier player in Major League Baseball.
On Thursday, Judge earned the AL MVP award, surpassing fellow New York Yankees player Juan Soto and Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. His victory was decisive, as he received all 30 first-place votes, a testament to his exceptional performance throughout the season.
This accolade places Judge among an elite group of Yankees legends who have claimed multiple AL MVP awards. He becomes the seventh player in the franchise’s storied history to achieve this honor, joining icons such as Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, and Alex Rodriguez. Notably, four of these players have been inducted into the Hall of Fame, highlighting the significance of Judge’s accomplishment.
During the season, Judge showcased his remarkable skills at the plate, nearly replicating his record-setting 2022 performance when he hit 62 home runs, the most in American League history. He achieved a career-high .322 batting average and led the league in home runs (58), RBIs (144), OPS (1.159), OPS+ (1.159), and bWAR (10.8), underscoring his offensive prowess.
Judge’s stellar contributions, coupled with the offseason addition of Soto, propelled the Yankees to reclaim the AL East title after a disappointing 2023 season. In the postseason, Judge made his mark by hitting three home runs, leading the team to the World Series for the first time in his career, although the Yankees fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.
Despite the bittersweet end to the 2024 season, Judge has established himself as one of the premier hitters of his generation. He stands as one of only four active players with multiple MVP titles, alongside Shohei Ohtani, Bryce Harper, and Mike Trout. With 315 career home runs, Judge is on the cusp of joining the 500 home run club, leading all active players in at-bats per home run at 11.31.
As the 2024 season concludes, Judge’s performance continues to reflect his dominance in the league. Over the past three years, he has maintained an impressive .304 batting average, hitting a total of 157 home runs, the highest of any player during this timeframe. This consistent excellence is a fitting foundation for his multiple MVP accolades and sets the stage for what lies ahead in his career.
