He joined Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle on the list after another season in which he dominated opposing teams, despite playing through a flexor strain in his right elbow for much of the second half of the year.

And unlike the previous two years Judge won the award — in 2022 and last season — there was more drama involved this time around, as Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh was seen as a legitimate contender following his 60-homer season, setting the record for a catcher, as well as a switch-hitter.

But it still wasn’t enough to unseat Judge in the BBWAA voting.

Judge won the first batting title of his career (hitting a career-best .331) and also topped the majors in on-base percentage (.457), slugging percentage (.688) and OPS (1.144) by a wide margin.