MLB MVP Awards 2024: Shohei Ohtani wins third MVP award, first in NL. Aaron Judge earns second AL honor in 3 seasons.
— Shohei Ohtani keeps setting records, even after the season is over.
The Los Angeles Dodgers star added his third Most Valuable Player award to his collection and first in the National League when he was chosen unanimously by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America on Thursday. Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees won the American League award for the second time, also unanimously.
Ohtani last year became the first two-time unanimous MVP. He won the AL award in 2021 and 2023 as a two-way star for the Los Angeles Angels and finished second to Judge in 2022 voting.
He didn’t pitch in 2024 following elbow surgery and signed a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers last December. Ohtani became the first player to reach 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season, then helped the Dodgers beat the Yankees in the World Series.
Ohtani received all 30 first-place votes and 420 points. New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was second with 263 points and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte third with 229.
Ohtani is the 12th player with three or more MVPs, joining Barry Bonds (seven) and Jimmie Foxx, Joe DiMaggio, Stan Musial, Roy Campanella, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Mike Schmidt, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols and Mike Trout (three each).
Aaron Judge was a unanimous pick for the first time. Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. got all 30 second-place votes for 270 points, and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto was third with 21 third-place votes and 229 points.
Ohtani hit .310, stole 59 bases and led the NL with 54 homers and 130 RBIs exclusively as a designated hitter, becoming the first player with 50 or more homers and 50 or more stolen bases in a season.
A highlight of the season was during the dog days. Ball in mouth, Decoy delivered the ceremonial first pitch to his owner at Dodger Stadium’s home plate before an Aug. 28 game against Baltimore.
Judge led the major leagues with 58 homers, 144 RBIs and 133 walks while hitting .322. Witt topped the big leagues with a .332 average, hitting 32 homers with 31 stolen bases and 109 RBIs. Soto batted .288 with 41 homers and 109 RBIs.
When Judge won his first MVP award in 2022, he received 28 first-place votes while Ohtani got the other two. Judge had discussed the MVP award with Philadelphia’s Bryce Harper, the NL winner in 2015 and ’21.
MLB awards: MLB MVP winners of last 10 years
2024: Aaron Judge (Yankees), Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers)
2023: Shohei Ohtani (Angels), Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves)
2022: Aaron Judge (Yankees), Paul Goldschmidt (Cardinals)
2021: Shohei Ohtani (Angels), Bryce Harper (Phillies)
2020: José Abreu (White Sox), Freddie Freeman (Braves)
2019: Mike Trout (Angels), Cody Bellinger (Dodgers)
2018: Mookie Betts (Red Sox), Christian Yelich (Brewers)
2017: Jose Altuve (Astros), Giancarlo Stanton (Marlins)
2016: Mike Trout (Angels), Kris Bryant (Cubs)
2015: Josh Donaldson (Blue Jays), Bryce Harper (Nationals)
2014: Mike Trout (Angels), Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers)
2013: Miguel Cabrera (Tigers), Andrew McCutchen (Pirates)
2012: Miguel Cabrera (Tigers), Buster Posey (Giants)
2011: Justin Verlander (Tigers), Ryan Braun (Brewers)
2010: Josh Hamilton (Rangers), Joey Votto (Reds)
2009: Joe Mauer (Twins), Albert Pujols (Cardinals)
2008: Dustin Pedroia (Red Sox), Albert Pujols (Cardinals)
2007: Alex Rodriguez (Yankees), Jimmy Rollins (Phillies)
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