Two-way MVP Ohtani showcases multilingual prowess at writers' awards gala
The 101st New York Baseball Writers' Gala was a star-studded affair, celebrating the 2025 Baseball Writers' Association of America award winners. The event's highlight was the presence of two exceptional players, Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, who each claimed their league's MVP Award.
Ohtani, the Japanese sensation, delivered an impressive performance last year with the Dodgers. He hit a career-high 55 home runs and boasted an outstanding 1.014 OPS, the best in the National League. Simultaneously, he showcased his pitching prowess with a 2.87 ERA and a 33% strikeout rate over 14 starts. Despite typically relying on an interpreter, Ohtani's acceptance speech was entirely in English, a testament to his linguistic skills. He expressed his gratitude, emphasizing the significance of the MVP Award and the joy of winning it again.
Ohtani also extended his congratulations to the 1986 Mets team, acknowledging their achievement and drawing parallels to his own journey to becoming a world champion.
Judge, introduced as 'the King of New York' by his former teammate Anthony Rizzo, praised the event's significance in his hometown. He highlighted the exceptional talent gathered, including Rookies of the Year, and expressed hope for future gatherings of this esteemed group.
Both players shared motivational quotes, with Judge's father's words resonating: 'If what you did yesterday still seems big today, then you haven’t done anything today.'
The Cy Young Award saw a repeat winner in the American League, Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal, who dominated in 2025 with a 2.21 ERA and 0.89 WHIP, along with 241 strikeouts. Skubal expressed humility and gratitude, attributing his success to the greatness of his peers.
In the National League, Paul Skenes, a flamethrowing phenom, claimed the Cy Young Award. Introduced by Mets legend Dwight Gooden, Skenes shared an inspiring message, emphasizing perseverance and self-belief.
The gala also honored other exceptional players, including Nick Kurtz, the AL Rookie of the Year, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Babe Ruth Postseason MVP. The event celebrated the achievements of managers Steven Vogt and Pat Murphy, who each won their second consecutive Manager of the Year Award.
The New York BBWAA chapter presented various awards, including the Joe DiMaggio 'Toast of the Town' Award (Pete Alonso), the Sid Mercer/Dick Young New York Player of the Year Award (Judge), the Joan Payson/Shannon Forde Community Service Award (Carlos and Ashley Rodón), and more.
The evening's best encapsulation of its significance came from Skubal, who reflected on the sport's rich history and the honor of recognizing his place within it.
