New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge has been voted player of the year as well as the American League outstanding player. Judge received these honors at the annual Players Choice Awards from the Major League Baseball Players Association, where his fellow MLB players voted to award him these accolades.
Judge enjoyed a prolific season, setting an AL record with 62 home runs. This sees him break the previous record of 61 homers set by New York’s Roger Maris back in 1961.
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor received the honor of the Marvin Miller Man of the Year; an award that is given to a player who voters believe has inspired others with their leadership. A member of the union’s eight-man executive subcommittee, Lindor played a significant role in labor negotiations.
Steve Rogers, a former pitcher and longtime special assistant on the union’s staff, was awarded the Curt Flood Award for the advancement of players’ rights and devotion to the union.
The rising stars who were awarded for their efforts were Seattle outfielder Julio Rodríguez, AL outstanding rookie, and Atlanta pitcher Spencer Strider, the NL outstanding rookie.
Other winners on the night included St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who was voted National League outstanding player, Houston’s Justin Verlander, who was named both the AL outstanding pitcher and the AL comeback player, and Miami’s Sandy Alcantara, the winner of the NL outstanding pitcher award.
