Yankees’ Judge, Mets’ Lindor Receive Player Honors

While they both wish they were still playing baseball this week in the World Series, both Aaron Judge and Francisco Lindor received top honors from their peers this week for their outstanding efforts during the 2022 season.

Judge was voted the Player of the Year and the American League Outstanding Player by his peers at the Major League Baseball Players Association’ annual Players Choice Awards.

Judge had a historic season in 2022, crushing an American League record, and Yankees club-record 62 home runs. He posted career bests in average (.311), on base percentage (.425), slugging (.686) and OPS (1.111).

He was by far and away the Yankees most consistent player all year, driving in 131 runs on 177 hits in 157 games played this year.

Judge beat out Anaheim’s Shoehi Ohtani and St. Louis’ Paul Goldschmdit for the Player of the Year Award.

“I think there’s no bigger award or sense of accomplishment than hearing it from your peers,” Judge said, per the MLBPA Twitter page. “Those are the guys you’re battling against every single day and battling with every single day. They know how hard this game is and know the grind of playing 162 games, so anytime you get recognition from your peers and teammates, there’s no higher honor.”

Judge is set to become a free agent in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile over in Queens, the players recognized Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor for his leadership in the Amazin’s clubhouse this year by rewarding him with the Marvin Milller Man of the Year Award. The award is given to the player who excelled both on the field and in the community.

An active MLBPA participant, Lindor is only the third Latin-American-born player to serve on the union’s executive subcommittee.

This year, the 28-year old Gold Glover enjoyed a huge bounce back season in his second year in Queens. Lindor batted .270 with 26 homers and a career best 107 RBI. He also played in 161 games — the most he has played in in his career.

Lindor’s positive outlook and effervescent became a huge part of the change in culture that manager Buck Schowalter instilled in the team when the season began last March. In fact, Lindor’s on-field relationship with second baseman Jeff McNeil also improved, which helped pave the way for a 101-win season for the Mets.

In 2021 both All-Stars fought each other in the clubhouse. This year they got along great en route to career years. McNeil was the NL batting champion in 2022.

Lindor is entering the second year of a 10-year deal with the Mets in 2023.