Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge & 3 other former MVPs come together to create history in Dodgers-Yankees World Series 2024

As soon as it was determined that the Dodgers and Yankees would meet in this year's World Series, every baseball fan knew that the matchup would be one of the most high-profile Fall Classics in recent memory.

The Yankees and Dodgers rank second and fifth respectively in total payroll. As such, the field of talent is truly star-studded. For the first time in World Series history, no fewer than five former MVP Award winners will take to the field.

"MVPs. MVPs everywhere. For the first time in #WorldSeries history, five former MVPs will take to the field" - MLB Europe

Arguably the most high-profile ex-MVP is Shohei Ohtani, who won the honor twice with the LA Angels. On account of the 2024 regular season that saw him become the first MLB player ever to hit 50 homers and swipe 50 bases in a season, the Japanese superstar is expected to scoop up MVP honors once again in 2024.

As if committing $700 million to one former MVP was not enough, the Dodgers also boast two other former winners. Mookie Betts is the most recent player to have won the MVP Award in the same season that he won the World Series - a feat that has been accomplished five times since 1988. Betts did this in 2018.

"Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts tonight: 5-for-9, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 7 runs scored, 3 BB" - MLB

Betts and Ohtani are also joined by Freddie Freeman, who won the MVP Award in the shortened season of 2020. A year later, Freeman led his former club, the Atlanta Braves, to their first Fall Classic win since 1995.

On the Yankees, two former MVPs will also be licking their chops for a chance to hit. Aaron Judge clobbered 62 homers in 2022 - setting an AL single-season record - to be named the MVP for that season. In 2017, Giancarlo Stanton's 59 homers and 132 RBIs led all of MLB, leading to him being crowned NL MVP as an outfielder for the Miami Marlins.

Cautious respect emanates from each side ahead of 2024 World Series

With a laundry list of supreme MLB talent set to take to the field, the excitement among fans and players is palpable. In recent comments to MLB.com. Aaron Judge lauded Shohei Ohtani, saying:

“He hits for average, he hits for power, the speed, doing what he did this year with the 50 stolen bases, it got talked about a lot, but I don’t think it got talked about enough. He’s an impressive, impressive athlete, the best player in the game, and what an ambassador for this sport."

While all former MVPs undoubtedly recognize the skill on the other side, that is all the more reason to dig deep. On account of this historic field of talent, the 2024 World Series is bound to be special.