What happened: Neither Aaron Judge nor Shohei Ohtani won a Most Valuable Player Award in 2026. The outcome halts a run that began in 2021, when Ohtani took the American League honor.
Why it matters: The result marks a transition from five years of sustained individual dominance across Major League Baseball. Judge earned AL honors in 2022, 2024, and 2025, while Ohtani collected three AL trophies and one NL award before the 2026 vote.
By the numbers: From 2021 through 2025, the pair captured seven of the 10 MVP awards presented across baseball.
What to watch: Both players turn their focus to the upcoming 2027 season as preparations begin.