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It’s an ALDS MVP showdown featuring Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. & Yankees’ Aaron Judge

Two of the best in the game today will go at it in the ALDS featuring Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees, at left, and Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.

For much of the 2024 season, the American League MVP discussion centered around two players: Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr.

Each had fantastic seasons in his own right. Judge propelled the New York Yankees (94-68) with a .322 batting average, 58 home runs and 144 runs driven in. He also produced an incredible 1.159 OPS (on-base plus slugging).

The 6-foot-7 outfielder led the majors in multiple statistical categories this season. He also walked 133 times in 704 plate appearances as opposing teams searched for any way to get him out.

It was not an easy task. Judge nearly had the first AL Triple Crown season since Miguel Cabrera in 2012.

But Judge’s triple-crown chase was thwarted by Witt in one category: batting average. The Royals’ 24-year-old superstar batted .332 with 32 homers, 109 RBIs and 31 stolen bases.

He became the first Major League Baseball shortstop in history with multiple 30-30 seasons.

So Judge may win the AL MVP this season, but there’s no denying that Witt put together an outstanding season in his own right, one that will be talked about for years to come.

And Judge took notice.

“It’s been fun to watch him develop the past couple of seasons into what he is doing now, leading his team into the postseason,” Judge said of Witt.

Judge went on to laud Witt as an all-around player. He praised Witt’s ability to change games with his elite speed and expanding abilities at the plate.

“He is just a complete hitter,” Judge said. “I don’t know what else to say. Even if he gets a single, you are like, ‘OK, I kept him at first (base).’ Well, in a couple of pitches, he might be at second base and then third base. So he is just a threat at all times when he is on the field.”

The Royals signed Witt to a massive 14-year contract extension this past offseason. He has exceeded expectations and is primed to be the franchise’s next icon.

Witt can add to his sparkling credentials starting Saturday night in New York. Game 1 of the best-of-five American League Division Series begins at 5:38 p.m. Central Time at Yankee Stadium (TBS or Max).

“They are an exciting team,” Judge said of the Royals. “To see where they came from last year and to push themselves into the postseason this year has been an impressive run and fun to watch. Just athletic guys all around the diamond on that team.”

While the Royals hope to continue their improbable postseason journey by knocking out the Yankees, Witt respects Judge and his team, and what they, too, have accomplished.

“Yeah, it’s awesome being able to kind of compete with him on this stage,” Witt said of Judge. “And just seeing how this year he’s had, it’s been unbelievable, just both how he is on and off the field.

“I believe he plays the game the right way. He plays it hard. It’s really cool to see a guy like that in a city like this do what he did this year and in years past.”

The Yankees are trying to win their first World Series since 2009. Judge leads a cast of sluggers that features fellow superstars Juan Soto, Giancarlo Stanton and Anthony Rizzo.

Together, they certainly present a challenge for the Royals. But Saturday’s visiting team in New York likes its chances.

“I do like our guys and their stuff and their ability to execute,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “I think it’s got to be one or the other. You’ve got to attack (New York’s hitters) or you’ve got to put them on (base), essentially. You can’t try to be careful. That’s not a philosophy we’re going to take.”

When it’s the Royals’ turn at the plate, they know Witt will do all he can to deliver. After all, he drove in both game-winning runs in the AL Wild Card Series against the Baltimore Orioles.

“They’re a great team, and we’ve just got to play our game,” Witt said. “Yeah, that’s really all there is to it.”