(Reuters) – New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge was named winner of the American League’s Most Valuable Player award on Thursday in a unanimous vote.
Judge, who led Major League Baseball in a slew of categories, beat out Juan Soto, a free agent who spent the 2024 season with the Yankees, and Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. for his second MVP award, having won in 2022.
“I want to congratulate Aaron on earning this distinguished honor, and I couldn’t be happier for such an amazing person and leader,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said in a statement.
“After having a front row seat for his 2022 MVP performance, I really couldn’t envision a player having a better and more complete baseball season. But that’s exactly what he accomplished in 2024.
“I’m beyond fortunate to be able to manage Aaron, and I look forward to watching him further cement his legacy as one of this generation’s greatest players.”
Judge, who led MLB in homers, RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and walks, received all 30 first-place votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
Judge is the 17th multiple MVP winner in the American League.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Chris Reese and Ed Osmond)
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