NEW YORK — Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers has been honored with the coveted Babe Ruth Award as the Most Valuable Player of the postseason, a distinction awarded by the New York chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Meanwhile, Yankees’ standout Aaron Judge has claimed his fourth Sid Mercer/Dick Young New York Player of the Year Award.
In a stellar postseason performance, Betts boasted a batting average of .290, hitting four home runs and driving in 16 runs, while also contributing five doubles, 11 walks, and posting an OPS of .952 across 16 playoff games. His efforts were pivotal in the Dodgers’ triumph over the Yankees, securing the World Series title in five games.
On the other hand, Aaron Judge emerged as the league leader with an impressive 58 home runs and 144 RBIs, while maintaining a batting average of .322, as the Yankees made their first World Series appearance since 2009. This accolade adds to his previous wins in 2017, 2021, and 2022.
Judge is set to receive this prestigious honor alongside his second American League MVP award during the chapter’s 100th anniversary dinner on January 25.
Freddie Freeman, first baseman for the Dodgers, along with his family, will be recipients of the Arthur and Milton Richman You Gotta Have Heart Award. This recognition comes after Freeman’s 3-year-old son, Maximus, was hospitalized for eight days last summer due to Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a rare and serious condition affecting the nervous system.
Despite spraining his right ankle recently, Freeman bounced back in a remarkable fashion and made history by hitting the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history during the opening game of the series. His performance included a home run in each of the first four games, tying a Series record with 12 RBIs, earning him the Series MVP title.
The 2024 “OMG” New York Mets will be honored with the Joe DiMaggio Toast of the Town Award, stemming from a catchy song by infielder Jose Iglesias released on streaming services in June, which captured the spirit of a team that advanced to the National League Championship Series.
Former Yankees players Don Mattingly and Dave Winfield are set to receive the Willie, Mickey and the Duke Award, celebrating the iconic 1984 American League batting race. Mattingly clinched the title on the final day of the season with a 4 for 5 performance, finishing with a .343 average, while Winfield fell short with a .340 average.
Pat Kelly will be honored with the Casey Stengel You Could Look It Up Award for his game-winning, two-run homer in the ninth inning against Toronto on September 29, 1995, a decisive moment that put New York on the brink of making its first playoff appearance since 1981.
John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman, the radio broadcasting duo for the New York Yankees, will receive the William J. Slocum/Jack Lang Award for Long and Meritorious Service, honoring Sterling’s retirement after 36 remarkable seasons with the team.
Additionally, Yankees utility player Oswaldo Cabrera will be given the Joan Payson/Shannon Forde Award for Community Service, recognizing his contributions to the Covenant House New Jersey and the Ma Deuce Deuce initiative that promotes awareness about veteran suicide.
Lastly, Mets pitcher Sean Manaea will receive the Ben Epstein/Dan Castellano Good Guy Award, acknowledged for his support of reporters in their profession.