Judge wins AL MVP after historic season

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge was recently named the American League MVP after leading the AL in home runs, RBI and finishing second in batting average.

Judge received 28 out of a possible 30 first place votes. Judge claimed the title over Angels two-way player Shohei Ohtani and Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez. It was hard to choose anyone but Judge with the numbers he put up this season. He hit an AL record 62 home runs, 131 RBI, with a .311 batting average.

“The motivation throughout the year, man, it goes to my teammates,” said Judge. “I said that all year; they constantly pushed me day in and day out to just show up and play, because I see the hard work they put in. I’ve got to show up, just like them. Without the special crew we had this year and the past couple of years, I know I definitely wouldn’t be in this position.”

Ohtani was going for back-to-back MVP awards after taking home the crown last season. His batting numbers dipped a little from last season; however, what he brings from the mound more than makes up for that. Alvarez had a phenomenal season for the Astros. He hit .306, with 37 home runs and 97 RBI.

“I was extremely nervous,” Judge said. “You’re going up against Yordan Alvarez, one of the top premier hitters in this game, and Shohei Ohtani is by far one of the best players on this planet. You never want to assume anything. Both of those guys had incredible years and it’s been fun competing with them over the years.”

Judge is the first Yankees player to win AL MVP since 2007, when Alex Rodriguez won the award. This is the sixth season for Judge and he seems to have put it all together, both at the plate and in the field. He played in all but five games this season and has put himself in prime position for a big contract as a free agent this off-season.

“So far, so good. I had some positive talks with [Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner]. I’m looking forward to getting this free agency process started,” Judge told reporters. “For me, I want to win. I’ve come pretty close with the Yankees. … My ultimate, most important thing is I want to be on a team with a winning culture and a commitment to winning. First and foremost, it’s a winning culture and a winning future.”

I am sure that the Yankees will back up the Brinks truck for Judge’s services. Other teams will be in the running as well. The Yankees have fallen back from signing high priced free agents as they have in the past. In fact, the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres have taken over that mantle in recent years. I just don’t see Yankees brass letting Judge walk out of New York City to another franchise.

The only drawback I

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY THE CHRONICLE