Judge, Ohtani have chance to join exclusive MVP group

The list of players to win a World Series and a regular-season Most Valuable Player Award in the same season is a small one. The list of World Series matchups to feature the MVP in each league facing off against one another is even smaller.

But the list of players to win the regular-season AL/NL MVP Award and either an LCS or World Series MVP Award in the same year?

Even smaller yet.

But Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani -- the frontrunners to win this year's AL and NL MVP Awards, respectively -- have a chance to join that exclusive group over the next few weeks. It's one that features only six players -- and only one has accomplished the feat in the past 40 years.

To join this list, Judge or Ohtani would obviously need to perform well enough to win the 2024 World Series MVP Award and then wait to hear their name called when the BBWAA Awards are revealed in November.

For now, let's take a look at the six players who have already doubled (or tripled!) up on MVP hardware.

2010: Josh Hamilton, Rangers (AL MVP/ALCS MVP)
Hamilton was seemingly unstoppable at the plate in 2010. He led the Majors in batting average (.359), slugging percentage (.633) and OPS (1.044) during the regular season, all while racking up 32 home runs and 100 RBIs. Hamilton then struggled a bit in the Rangers’ AL Division Series victory over the Rays, but he wasted no time making his mark in the ALCS.

The Texas slugger teed off for a three-run homer in the first inning of Game 1 against the Yankees, though New York rallied for a 6-5 victory. Still, the Yanks decided to be extra careful with Hamilton in Game 2. They walked him in four of his five plate appearances, including twice intentionally, but the rest of the Rangers made them pay in a 7-2 victory. Hamilton then homered once in a Game 3 win and twice in a Game 4 rout to push the Yanks to the brink. After forcing a Game 6, New York intentionally walked Hamilton three more times in Game 6 – and he picked up a single the only time they pitched to him – but the damage had been done as the Rangers claimed the AL pennant.

Hamilton and Barry Bonds (2002 World Series) are the only players with at least four homers and four intentional walks in a single postseason series.

1980: Mike Schmidt, Phillies (NL MVP/World Series MVP)
After garnering his share of MVP votes, All-Star selections and Gold Glove Awards in the 1970s, Schmidt finally broke through to win the first of his three NL MVP Awards in 1980. He led the Majors with 48 home runs, while pacing all NL players in RBIs (121), slugging percentage (.624) and OPS (1.004). And he did it all while winning his fifth straight Gold Glove Award at the hot corner.

The Astros held Schmidt in check – by his standards at least – in the NLCS, but the other Phillies picked up the slack on their way to winning the pennant. Schmidt then took over in the World Series, recording at least one hit in all six games against George Brett and the Royals. He went 8-for-21 (.381) with two homers, seven RBIs, four walks and a 1.176 OPS in the Fall Classic to help the Phils win their first World Series title.

1979: Willie Stargell, Pirates (NL MVP/NLCS MVP/World Series MVP)
Just when it seemed as if Stargell might be nearing the end of his career, he put together one last remarkable run in 1979 that netted him the NL MVP Award, NLCS MVP Award, World Series MVP Award and a second World Series ring. Stargell, who spent his entire 21-year career with the Pirates, was a seven-time All-Star and earned a share of NL MVP votes 10 times before winning the honor in '79 (including three straight top-3 finishes from 1971-73).

But the then-39-year-old Stargell turned back the clock in 1979, hitting 32 home runs on his way to earning co-NL MVP honors alongside St. Louis’ Keith Hernandez. Stargell then started the postseason with a bang, hitting a game-winning three-run homer in the top of the 11th inning in the Pirates’ Game 1 victory over the Reds in the NLCS. He homered again in Game 3 as the Bucs finished off a sweep behind Stargell hitting .455 (5-for-11) with four extra-base hits and six RBIs.

As for the Fall Classic, Stargell hit .400 (12-for-30) with three home runs, four doubles, seven RBIs and a 1.208 OPS. He saved his best for last, going 4-for-5 with a homer and two doubles in Pittsburgh’s Game 7 victory in Baltimore. Stargell’s two-run homer in the sixth proved to be the game-winner.

1973: Reggie Jackson, A's (AL MVP/World Series MVP)
It’s almost hard to believe that Jackson appears on this list only once given his incredible resume. The Hall of Famer and 14-time All-Star won five World Series titles and a pair of World Series MVP Awards – but his only regular-season MVP honor came in 1973. Jackson led the AL in homers (32), RBIs (117), runs (99), slugging percentage (.531) and OPS (.914) while also swiping 22 bases during the regular season.

Jackson later led the A's past the Mets in the Fall Classic, hitting .310 (9-for-29) with five extra-base hits (including a home run) and six RBIs over the seven-game series. He had four hits in Game 2, three hits in Game 6 and delivered what proved to be a decisive two-run homer in Game 7.

1966: Frank Robinson, Orioles (AL MVP/World Series MVP)
Robinson's list of career accolades includes two MVP Awards (one in each league), a World Series MVP Award, an All-Star Game MVP Award, two World Series titles, a Rookie of the Year honor, a batting title, a Triple Crown, a Gold Glove Award and 14 All-Star selections. Got all that?

But Robinson did it all in 1966, cruising to unanimous AL MVP honors after leading the Majors in homers (49), runs (122), slugging percentage (.637) and OPS (1.047). He also paced all AL hitters in average (.316), OBP (.410) and RBIs (122).

Robinson then helped the O's make quick work of the Dodgers in the World Series. He hit a two-run homer in the first inning of Game 1 to set the tone, then later added a solo shot in Game 4 that held up as the game's only run as Baltimore finished off a sweep of Los Angeles.

1963: Sandy Koufax, Dodgers (NL MVP/World Series MVP)
Koufax took home quite the trophy collection in 1963, winning the Major League Cy Young Award, NL MVP Award, World Series MVP Award and the NL pitching Triple Crown. The Hall of Fame left-hander went 25-5 with a 1.88 ERA and 306 strikeouts over 40 starts, half of which were complete games -- including 11 shutouts.

Koufax remained just as untouchable in the postseason, tossing a pair of complete games in the Dodgers' sweep of the Yankees. He struck out a then-World Series record 15 batters in Game 1, then struck out eight in a World Series-clinching 2-1 victory in Game 4.