New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge left no doubt in the AL MVP voting, beating out Shohei Ohtani for the historic honor.
It felt like a foregone conclusion that Aaron Judge would win the AL MVP award after breaking the record for most home runs in American League history this year. Still, there was always the chance Shohei Ohtani and his multi-factor excellence could sweep in and steal the show.
Now it’s official. Judge is the AL MVP. And it wasn’t close.
Voters gave the Yankees outfielder 28 out of 30 first-place votes. The two voters who gave their nod to Ohtani in first had Judge second. It wasn’t a sweep, but it was close.
Here’s what Twitter had to say about Judge’s incredible season and deserved award.
Best memes and tweets after Aaron Judge won the AL MVP Award
Aaron Judge wins the AL MVP Award. The full vote: pic.twitter.com/dqEQx2kaeM
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) November 18, 2022
Aaron Judge is the first Yankee to win MVP since Alex Rodriguez in 2007.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 18, 2022
Not only did Judge set the American League home run record this season, but his 22 HR gap from the next closest AL player (Mike Trout: 40) was the largest gap between players in the same league since 1928. pic.twitter.com/b2tFEweLrS
62 Home Runs.
— Jake Montgomery (@JakeMontgomery_) November 18, 2022
.311 Batting Average.
131 Runs Batted In.
133 Runs Scored.
111 Walks.
16 Stolen Bases.
.425 OBP.
.686 SLG.
1.111 OPS.
1 MVP.
Congrats to Aaron Judge on one of the most historic seasons in Major League Baseball history 👏 #AllRise pic.twitter.com/2NCs3T21DK
Yankee outfielders to win the MVP:
— Pinstripe Pride (@PinstripePride) November 18, 2022
Babe Ruth
Joe DiMaggio
Mickey Mantle
Roger Maris
Aaron Judge pic.twitter.com/YwWgmz0daF
Fun fact: Aaron Judge is the tallest player in MLB history to win MVP
— YankeesMuse (@YankeesMuse) November 18, 2022
Aaron Judge is the 2nd player to win both ROY and MVP with the Yankees, joining Thurman Munson
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) November 18, 2022
It was obvious from the beginning of 2017 that Aaron Judge would be the greatest player I’ll ever have the privilege of watching. Grateful that my era of being a Yankee fan is represented by a legend who stacks up with Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, etc
— Dan Rourke (@DanAlanRourke) November 18, 2022
I am so happy for Aaron Judge. Like genuinely happy for him and I’ve never met him. That award and his future big ass contract are well deserved and earned.
— Randy Wilkins (@pamsson) November 18, 2022
62 Home Runs.
— Jake Montgomery (@JakeMontgomery_) November 18, 2022
.311 Batting Average.
131 Runs Batted In.
133 Runs Scored.
111 Walks.
16 Stolen Bases.
.425 OBP.
.686 SLG.
1.111 OPS.
1 MVP.
Congrats to Aaron Judge on one of the most historic seasons in Major League Baseball history 👏 #AllRise pic.twitter.com/2NCs3T21DK
Judge led the majors with 62 home runs, 131 RBI, an on-base percentage of .425, a slugging percentage of .685 and an OPS of 1.111. His power numbers were incredible and put him in the pantheon of Yankees legends.
If there was an MLB MVP Award, it’s safe to say Judge would have taken it home as well.
Now that the MVP has been decided, the only thing for Judge to figure out this offseason is where he’ll play in 2023. He’s a free agent with an absolutely massive contract coming down the line from whoever decides to give it to him.
The Yankees will obviously want to secure his services but there are plenty of other teams lurking who will want to make the biggest free agency splash in ages.
On Thursday night Brian Cashman confirmed New York has extended an offer to Judge but it doesn’t sound like there will be a quick resolution to the Judge free agency saga.