Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge: A Record-Breaking 2024 Season

By Oliver Wiener September 10, 2024 08:36

Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

The 2024 Major League Baseball season has been downright special, as two players have taken the league by storm and left nearly everyone in awe. The Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani and New York Yankees' Aaron Judge not only majestically fulfilled what a superstar is, but they expanded our expectations of what can be done on a baseball field.

Ohtani and the Dodgers

This has been the best version of Ohtani yet, offensively, that is. His first season as a Dodger is living up to everything that massive contract advertised, and his exploits at the plate have been crucial for L.A.'s success, strengthening their grip as one of the N.L. powerhouses.

But amidst his individual success, the reigning AL MVP has bigger goals in mind. "I don't have time to worry about my personal numbers this year. I'm focused on winning the division as quickly as possible," he exclaimed.

Judge and the Yankees

The Yankees' captain, Aaron Judge, is showcasing his power and effectiveness by staying incredibly influential for the Yankees. Heading into September, Judge has been the man at the helm at the Bronx, leading his men to an 83-62 record, the best in the AL East.

With 51 dingers at the time of writing, Judge is on pace to become one of three players in MLB history to have multiple 60-homer seasons, joining legends Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire.

A Two-Horse Race for MVP

Of course, Ohtani and Judge's historic seasons have sparked debate over the American League MVP. There are a few more weeks left in the season, but it now seems clear that these two stand above all.

The Ohtani backers point to the sheer novelty of his 50-50 quest and his total influence as a two-way player. However, Judge's fans emphasize his ability to deliver. They usually do so by citing the possibility of multiple 60+ home run seasons and also due to his offensive performance in important statistical areas.

Reimagining the Game of Baseball

In 2024, Ohtani and Judge are doing things we never thought humanly possible in baseball. Perhaps Ohtani's 50-50 season will set the bar for all-around position player excellence, and Judge could redefine just what power looks like in today's game.

Global Impact

Both players have played in the MLB, but Ohtani's success especially is now changing the face of baseball at a global level. As an international superstar, his success is creating buzz for MLB among fans globally and possibly influencing a new wave of players who will bring the sport to new heights in the future.

A Season for the Ages

The 2024 MLB season is winding down, but baseball history continues to be rewritten. When the MVP laurels are written and read, 2024 will go down as a time when two supremely rare figures in baseball history brought out each other's greatness. These accomplishments have added sparks as new threads not to be forgotten down the rich and storied fabric of baseball, making sure that future generations will continue discussing this 2024 campaign, from barbershop banters to watercooler chitchats.

While we await the last acts of this season that have been like no other, what's clear now more than ever is that Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge have made this 2024 campaign into one of the greatest seasons in MLB. From barbershop banters, to watercooler chitchats, baseball fans will be talking about what these players simultaneously accomplished for a long, long time.