MLB fans troll Ben Verlander for comparing Shohei Ohtani with Aaron Judge (Picture credit: Imagn)
Fans reacted to MLB analyst Ben Verlander’s comments about the 2024 NL MVP award. The MVP race featuring Shohei Ohtani and Francisco Lindor as possible winners has sparked several debates, and Verlander shared his take on the matter.
On his “Flippin’ Bats” podcast, Verlander argued that Ohtani is the most likely choice for NL MVP, even drawing comparisons to AL MVP frontrunner Aaron Judge:
“If Shohei goes 50/50, spare me the conversation that he’s not NL MVP. And I’ll raise you the convo that he’s had the best offensive season of ANYONE in baseball. Including Aaron Judge.”
Verlander later reposted his comments on X/Twitter, emphasizing that Ohtani is “clearly” the NL MVP. Several fans reacted, with some disagreeing and even trolling him for his remarks.
“Doesn’t shock anyone… You are obsessed with a guy who is like the same age as you. it’s concerning,” a fan said.
“You’re clearly mistaken,” another fan said.
“Nope not better than Judge offensively because when u play on both sides of the ball it has a different impact .. otherwise some of those big offensive years Big Papi had he would’ve won a couple MVPs,” another fan wrote.
Many others backed Francisco Lindor, discussing why Ohtani might not win the award.
“I’m sorry but a DH doing amazing things on a stacked team vs an incredible shortstop for a scrappy team? if the Mets make the playoffs Lindor should absolutely win regardless of what Ohtani does,” a comment reads.
“Do you think the fact that he’s not playing any defense should play against him in voting?” another comment reads.
“He’s not, would the Dodgers be in the postseason without him? Yes. Does he play in the field? No. It’s really that simple,” one wrote.
Ohtani, with 44 home runs and 46 stolen bases, is on pace to finish 50/50 and could become the first player in MLB history to do so.
Shohei Ohtani and Francisco Lindor’s team leadership discuss players’ chances for MVP
Shohei Ohtani, who is only the DH of the Los Angeles Dodgers this 2024 season due to recovery from his surgery, has been hitting .290 with a .988 OPS. Discussing his chances as a designated hitter to win the NL MVP, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said (via OC Register):
“I do feel he would have to have that much of a better season than the field. It’s the same argument of could a pitcher win an MVP? I put it in that same discussion.”
Meanwhile, New York Mets president David Stearns shared his thoughts on shortstop Francisco Lindor’s chances for the MVP award (via the NY Post):
“It would be tough for me to believe that there’s another player in baseball this year who is more valuable to his team than Francisco Lindor is to us.”
Lindor has been an exceptional defensive player for the Mets this 2024 season, hitting .274 with 30 home runs, 26 stolen bases and 84 RBIs.
