Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani create MLB history as first 50-HR duo to clash in World Series
With a script that would make even a New York Times best-selling author envious, Aaron Judge's New York Yankees are set to clash against Shohei Ohtani's Los Angeles Dodgers for the World Series title.
Baseball's modern-day behemoths are on the cusp of making history, with Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani becoming the first players from opposing squads with at least 50 home runs to meet in the Fall Classic.
New York Yankees captain Judge finished the season with an MLB-best 58 home runs, while baseball unicorn Ohtani finished with 54 homers to lead all National League batters.
This year's World Series is the latest chapter of a long series of highly anticipated events for Judge and Ohtani. As many can recall, the two baseball stars were front and center of the baseball world in 2022.
That year, Aaron Judge broke the American League record for most home runs in a season, with 62. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani (who was with the Angels) smashed 34 home runs to go along with a 15-9 record and 2.33 ERA as a pitcher. Judge was voted the American League MVP, with Ohtani finishing second.
Race to win MVP and World Series feat. Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani
As things stand, Aaron Judge is the favorite to win this year's AL MVP. Likewise, Shohei Ohtani is the frontrunner in the NL MVP race. The two are now gunning to etch their name in more MLB records.
Since the start of MLB's "Divisional Era," only 12 players have bagged the MVP Award and World Series title in the same campaign. Baltimore Orioles great Boog Powell started the exclusive club when came home with the double in 1970 after his Baltimore Orioles were triumphant against the Cincinnati Reds in the Fall Classic.
The great Reggie Jackson achieved the feat with the Oakland A's in 1973. He would also be the first person to win the two awards to go along with a World Series MVP.
In 1975 and 1976, Joe Morgan of "The Big Red Machine Cincinnati" team would win back-to-back titles, giving the Hall of Famer the distinction of being the sole player to pull off the feat twice.
Other players in the revered list include Willie Stargell, Mike Schmidt, Cal Ripken Jr., Willie Hernandez, Kirk Gibson, Buster Posey, Kris Bryant and Jose Altuve.