Gunnar Henderson, the Baltimore Orioles' shortstop, made a significant mark in the 2024 MLB season. His performance was truly remarkable and led him to finish fourth in the voting for the American League Most Valuable Player Award. This was a remarkable feat for a player who emerged from Morgan Academy in Selma and won Alabama's Mr. Baseball honor in 2019.

Unanimous Victory and the Rivalry

The Baseball Writers Association of America announced on Thursday night that New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge won the award unanimously. Henderson, on the other hand, received six third-place votes, 16 fourth-place votes, and eight fifth-place votes from the panel of 30 BBWAA members. Despite not winning the top award, Henderson's performance was still highly regarded.With 208 points, Henderson finished behind Judge, who collected 420 points for 30 first-place votes. Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. got all 30 second-place votes and 270 points, while Yankees outfield Juan Soto had 21 third-place, seven fourth-place, and two fifth-place votes for 229 points. This shows the intense competition within the league.

Post-Rookie Year Success

After winning the American League Rookie of the Year Award unanimously last season, Henderson continued to shine in 2024. He hit 37 home runs and had 118 runs and 92 RBIs. His impact on the field was undeniable, and he even started at shortstop for the American League at the 2024 MLB All-Star Game. This demonstrated his skill and leadership on the team.

Ohtani's Dominance in the National League

The National League MVP Award also had a unanimous vote for the winner. Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani earned the award. Ohtani is a remarkable player who has won two MVP awards in the American League with the Los Angeles Angels. His performance in both leagues is a testament to his talent and versatility.Mark Inabinett, a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group, has been closely following Henderson's career. You can follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1 for more updates on the latest sports news.