When the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees met in the World Series, there was just one trophy for Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge to shoot for.
Thursday night, when Most Valuable Players for the National and American Leagues are announced, there should be enough to go around for both of them.
Ohtani and Judge are heavily favored to win their third and second MVP awards, respectively, when balloting by the Baseball Writers Association of America is announced (6 ET, MLB Network). And after his move from the Los Angeles Angels to the NL’s Dodgers, Ohtani can join Hall of Famer Frank Robinson as the only players to win MVPs in both leagues.
That’s highly expected after Ohtani shelved his two-way greatness as he recovered from Tommy John surgery to put together a historic 54-homer, 59-steal season. New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte are the other finalists.
Judge couldn’t reach his 62-homer heights of 2022, when he won his first MVP, yet set career marks in almost every other offensive category, as his major league-leading 58 homers and 144 RBI powered a 1.159 OPS. Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and Judge’s teammate, slugging outfielder Juan Soto, are the other finalists.
When is MLB MVP announced?
Thursday’s MVP announcements begin at 6 p.m. ET on MLB Network, with the awards handed out over the course of the hour-long program.
MLB MVP winners
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2023: Shohei Ohtani (Angels), Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves)
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2022: Aaron Judge (Yankees), Paul Goldschmidt (Cardinals)
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2021: Shohei Ohtani (Angels), Bryce Harper (Phillies)
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2020: José Abreu (White Sox), Freddie Freeman (Braves)
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2019: Mike Trout (Angels), Cody Bellinger (Dodgers)
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2018: Mookie Betts (Red Sox), Christian Yelich (Brewers)
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2017: Jose Altuve (Astros), Giancarlo Stanton (Marlins)
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2016: Mike Trout (Angels), Kris Bryant (Cubs)
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2015: Josh Donaldson (Blue Jays), Bryce Harper (Nationals)
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2014: Mike Trout (Angels), Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers)
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2013: Miguel Cabrera (Tigers), Andrew McCutchen (Pirates)
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2012: Miguel Cabrera (Tigers), Buster Posey (Giants)
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2011: Justin Verlander (Tigers), Ryan Braun (Brewers)
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2010: Josh Hamilton (Rangers), Joey Votto (Reds)
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2009: Joe Mauer (Twins), Albert Pujols (Cardinals)
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2008: Dustin Pedroia (Red Sox), Albert Pujols (Cardinals)
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2007: Alex Rodriguez (Yankees), Jimmy Rollins (Phillies)
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB MVP announcement time: Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge odds on favorites