Ohtani Wins Fourth MVP as Judge Claims Third, Edges Raleigh/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Shohei Ohtani earned his fourth career MVP and second straight National League honor with a unanimous vote, cementing another dominant season with the Dodgers. In the American League, Aaron Judge captured his third MVP, narrowly defeating Cal Raleigh in the closest vote since 2019. Both stars continued to build their legacies with record-setting performances across MLB.
Ohtani and Judge Win MVP Awards: Quick Looks
- Shohei Ohtani wins fourth MVP, unanimous NL selection
- Only Barry Bonds has more MVPs (seven total)
- Ohtani wins MVP in both leagues for the second time
- Judge earns third MVP, edging Cal Raleigh 17–13
- Judge leads MLB in batting average, OPS, and hits 53 HR
- Ohtani posts 55 HR, 102 RBIs, 1.014 OPS, plus 62 strikeouts pitching
- Raleigh hits 60 HR, most ever for a primary catcher
- Soto and Schwarber finish second and third in NL voting
- Only MLB player with unanimous MVP wins more than once: Ohtani
Ohtani Wins Fourth MVP as Judge Claims Third, Edges Raleigh
Deep Look
Shohei Ohtani made more baseball history Thursday night, capturing his fourth career MVP award, unanimously winning the National League MVP after another extraordinary two-way season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. At 31 years old, Ohtani is now just the second player ever to win four MVPs—joining only Barry Bonds, who famously holds the MLB record with seven.
But for Ohtani, personal accolades remain secondary to championship success.
“I’m helping the team win when I’m playing well,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “At the end of the day, it’s all about winning games.”
His MVP aligns with yet another Dodgers championship run, marking the second straight year in which he achieved the dual crown of MVP and World Series champion.
Ohtani’s Historic NL Season
Ohtani delivered a commanding offensive performance, batting .282 with a 1.014 OPS, 55 home runs, 102 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases. After undergoing elbow surgery and missing over a season on the mound, he returned to pitching in June, recording 62 strikeouts in 47 innings while slowly ramping up workload ahead of the postseason.
In October, Ohtani turned in what many analysts have called one of the greatest single-game playoff performances ever: on October 17, he hit three home runs and struck out 10 batters over six innings in an NLCS-clinching win against Milwaukee.
This year also made him the first MLB player to win MVP honors in each league twice, having won in the American League in 2021 and 2023 before signing with the Dodgers and earning the NL title in 2024 and 2025.
Behind Ohtani, Kyle Schwarber finished second in the NL vote, collecting 23 second-place ballots after leading the league with 56 homers and pacing all of MLB with 132 RBIs. Juan Soto finished third, rebounding from a slow start to produce 43 homers, 105 RBIs, and an NL-best 38 steals.
Aaron Judge Wins Third MVP in AL
In the American League, Aaron Judge secured his third MVP, joining Yankees legends Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, and Mickey Mantle as the franchise’s only three-time winners. Judge narrowly edged Seattle Mariners slugger Cal Raleigh, winning the tightest MVP race since 2019 by a margin of 17–13 in first-place votes.
Judge led all of Major League Baseball with a .331 batting average, 1.144 OPS, and crushed 53 home runs. Now 33, Judge said he is still absorbing his place in the sport’s storied history.
“It’s mind-blowing,” Judge said. “I play this game for my teammates, my family, and the fans in New York. You’ve got to pinch yourself every single day.”
Judge is the first American League player to win back-to-back MVP honors since Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera did so in 2012 and 2013.
Raleigh’s Historic Season Behind the Plate
Cal Raleigh put together one of the greatest offensive seasons ever by a catcher, hitting 60 home runs — the most by any player who primarily played behind the plate. He also drove in 125 RBIs while catching in 119 games. Judge praised Raleigh’s leadership and presence, noting their conversations during the All-Star break.
“Cal’s a special player,” Judge said. “He’s an incredible leader and teammate.”
Cleveland star José Ramírez finished third in the AL vote.
Additional Notes
Arizona shortstop Geraldo Perdomo finished fourth in NL voting, triggering significant contract escalators for future seasons, including salary increases in 2028 and 2029 and raising the price of Arizona’s 2030 club option.
As for Ohtani, his chase of Barry Bonds is officially underway. And with the Dodgers contending annually, his unique two-way brilliance may place him in uncharted territory by the end of his career.
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