This year’s Major League Baseball
Aaron Judge, outfielder for the New York Yankees, and Shohei Ohtani, designated hitter for the Los Angeles Dodgers, were announced as the MVPs of the American League (AL) and National League (NL) for the 2024 season on Thursday. Both earned the prestigious title unanimously, receiving every first-place vote.
Aaron Judge’s Dominance in 2024
Judge, who first claimed the AL MVP award in 2022, regained the honour after leading Major League Baseball (MLB) in:
- 58 home runs.
- RBIs: 144
- Walks: 133
- On-base percentage (OBP): .458
- Slugging percentage: .701
- OPS: 1.159
He also ranked third in batting average with an impressive 322.
Shohei Ohtani’s Historic Feat
Ohtani made history as the first player to win two unanimous MVP awards, achieving the milestone last year. In 2024, despite missing the pitching mound due to Tommy John surgery, Ohtani earned his third MVP title during his debut season in the National League. He led the league in:
- Home runs: 54
- RBIs: 130
- Runs: 134
- OBP: .390
- Slugging percentage: .646
- OPS: 1.036
Additionally, Ohtani posted a.310 batting average (second-best) and drew 81 walks (also second-best).
Where do Judge and Ohtani rank among All-Time MVP Winners?
How Many MLB Players Have Won Multiple MVP Awards?
According to MLB.com, Judge has become the 30th player since 1931—when the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) began voting for MVP—to win the award multiple times.
How Many Players Have Won Three MVP Awards?
Ohtani, on the other hand, has joined an exclusive group of only 12 players who have won at least three MVP awards since 1931.
Who Has Won MVPs in Both Leagues?
By claiming his third MVP award, Ohtani joins Frank Robinson as the only player to win MVPs in both the AL and NL. Ohtani earned his first two MVPs with the Los Angeles Angels in the AL before his historic 2024 campaign in the NL. Robinson won his first MVP with the Cincinnati Reds in 1961 (NL) and his second with the Baltimore Orioles in 1966 (AL).
The All-Time MVP Leader
Despite Ohtani’s growing resume, he still trails Barry Bonds, who holds the record for the most MVP titles in MLB history with seven.
Bonds, MLB’s all-time home run leader, won the award twice with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1990, 1992). After joining the San Francisco Giants, he captured his first NL MVP title with the team in 1993. Bonds then made history by winning four consecutive MVP awards from 2001 to 2004, cementing his place as an MLB legend.
Barry Bonds remains the all-time MVP leader with seven awards.
- Ohtani is now among an elite group of 12 players with three MVP titles and one of only two to win the award in both leagues.
- Judge joins 29 other players in the history of the MLB to have won the MVP title multiple times.
As Ohtani continues to redefine baseball with his unprecedented two-way skills, the race to challenge Bonds’ historic record might be closer than ever.
