Yankees Aaron Judge set to snag second AL MVP award

Because of the way the season ended — and his season ended — there might be some who have forgotten just what kind of year Aaron Judge had.The kind of year that likely will be rewarded with his second American League MVP award in three seasons.Judge, teammate Juan Soto and the Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr.are the three finalists for a marquee award that will be announced Thursday night.Judge, the favorite, can become the seventh Yankee to win multiple MVPs, joining Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Alex Rodriguez.The Yankees captain led baseball in a lot, including home runs (58), RBIs (144), on-base percentage (.458), slugging percentage (.701) and OPS (1.159).

Until a relatively quiet finish to his regular season, he threatened the franchise home run mark of 62 — which he set in 2022.If not for a smashed foot into the concrete base of a Dodger Stadium wall in 2023, he might be on the verge of three consecutive MVP awards.Judge made major league history two seasons ago — and in many ways just authored an even better campaign.“We’re watching a historically great player now, really, [with] what we’re seeing,” manager Aaron Boone said after Judge’s 58th homer.“Obviously his power speaks for itself, but he takes a lot of pride in being a well-rounded hitter.

Like a lot of great players in whatever sport it may be, he is intent and obsessed with trying to get a little bit better at baseball year in and year out.“I don’t want to get hyperbolic and say he’s gone to another level from [when he] hit 62 homers and won the MVP.I don’t know if it’s another level, but is he incrementally a better hitter today than he was then? I think the answer’s yes.”Judge’s primary competition this year will be Witt, who did everything for the Royals.

The 24-year-old won a Gold Glove for his work at shortstop, led baseball with a .332 average, posted a .977 OPS and knocked 32 home runs with 31 steals in 161 games.Kansas Ci...