Bronx, NY—-NY Yankees captain Aaron Judge claimed his second American League MVP Award in three seasons, earning the honor unanimously over Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. and teammate Juan Soto, as announced Thursday night.
Judge received all 30 first-place votes, becoming only the second unanimous MVP winner in Yankees history after Mickey Mantle in 1956. Witt Jr. secured all 30 second-place votes, while Soto narrowly edged Orioles standout Gunnar Henderson for third place.
This achievement cements Judge’s legacy in Yankees lore, as he joins an elite group of players—Mantle, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, Roger Maris, and Alex Rodriguez—who have won multiple MVP awards. The accolade comes two years after Judge set the franchise’s single-season home run record, and his 2024 performance only solidified his place among the game’s greats.
Judge led the league in home runs with 58, threatening his own record, and topped the majors in several key categories, including a 1.159 OPS, 144 RBIs, and 133 walks. Reflecting on the achievement, Judge credited his team and faith. “I wouldn’t be here without my teammates and the incredible coaching staff. It’s truly a blessing,” he said during an MLB Network interview. “I thank God every day for the chance to wear pinstripes and play in New York.”
After a slow start in April, Judge delivered one of the greatest midseason stretches in MLB history. From May 3 through the regular season’s end, he batted .357, posted a .492 on-base percentage, and blasted 52 home runs in just 125 games.
The 2024 campaign saw Judge surpass his already impressive 2022 season, setting career highs in nearly every major offensive category, including batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, hits, doubles, and games played. He joined baseball legends Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, and Babe Ruth as one of only four players in history to hit at least 58 home runs in multiple seasons. His 1.159 OPS marked the highest for a full season since Barry Bonds’ 1.422 in 2004.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Judge’s remarkable season. “Aaron’s performance in 2024 was even more complete than his MVP year in 2022,” Boone said in a statement. “I couldn’t be prouder to manage such an incredible player and leader. He’s cementing his legacy as one of this generation’s greatest.”
Despite his historic regular season, Judge faced struggles in the postseason, striking out 20 times in 64 plate appearances. His most notable misstep came during the deciding Game 5 of the World Series, when a dropped fly ball in the fifth inning allowed the Dodgers to capitalize with five unearned runs, ultimately sealing the Yankees’ fate.
Judge reflected on the bitter ending, offering respect to the Dodgers. “Hats off to a great team,” he told ESPN. “This was a learning experience for us. We’ve got a young, hungry team, and I know we’ll come back stronger.”
While the season didn’t end with a championship, Judge’s brilliance throughout 2024 has further solidified his status as one of baseball’s all-time greats, leaving Yankees fans optimistic about the future.
