Judge & Ohtani Win Back-to-Back AL/NL MVPs

New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge has won back-to-back AL MVPs while Los Angeles Dodgers DH Shohei Ohtani has won back-to-back NL MVPs.

Judge narrowly prevailed over Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh. Although Raleigh led the AL in HR (60) and RBI (125) while leading the Mariners to an AL West title, Judge earned his first AL batting title with a .331 average while also leading the Junior Circuit in walks (124), runs scored (137), OBP (.457), SLG (.688) OPS (1.144) OPS + (215) and total bases (372). It is hard to argue against Judge winning his 3rd AL MVP in four seasons. 

A word, however, for Cleveland Guardians infielder Jose Ramirez who for the third time in his career finished third in AL MVP balloting having previously done so in 2017 and 2018. Ramirez also finished runner up in AL MVP balloting in the COVID shortened 2020 season. He is certainly the best player in MLB to have never won an MVP.

Meanwhile, Ohtani not only won back-to-back MVPs, but this is his third consecutive MVP having won the AL MVP in 2023 while still with the Los Angeles Angels (which explains why Judge hasn't won four consecutive MVPs). It is the fourth MVP of Ohtani's career having won his first in 2021. If not for Judge winning his first AL MVP in 2022, Ohtani may have had five consecutive MVPs. Frank Robinson was remarkable for winning an MVP in both the AL and the NL. Now Ohtani has 2 AL MVPs and 2 NL MVPs.

In 2025, Ohtani hit .282 with 55 HR and 102 RBI leading the NL in runs scored (146), SLG (.622), OPS (1.014), OPS + (179) and total bases (380). Oh yeah, Ohtani also made 14 regular season starts on the mound.

And yet, I am not fully on board the Ohtani train. Yes, Ohtani now has 4 MVPs. Only Barry Bonds has more. Well, last I checked Bonds isn't in Cooperstown and I don't think it is likely the Contemporary Era Committee will vote him in. 

With that, I don't think Ohtani is an innocent victim when it comes to gambling debts. Given the vigor with which MLB and now the DOJ have gone after Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz over gambling, it gives the appearance that Ohtani is somehow both above baseball and above the law.