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Yankees and Mets Legends Take the Las Vegas Strip for MLB Awards Show

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, November 13th 2025 at 9:15 GMT by NJ.com

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Yankees and Mets Legends Hit Las Vegas for MLB Awards Show and a New Golf Tournament

In a star‑packed night that blended baseball glamour with golf chic, former New York Yankees and New York Mets icons converged on the Las Vegas Strip to celebrate the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) Awards Show. The event, which took place at the iconic Mandalay Bay Convention Center, was a showcase of the sport’s history, the present, and an exciting new venture that brings MLB’s star power into the world of golf. Below is a detailed summary of what happened, who was there, the awards presented, and how the event set the stage for a fresh MLB‑backed golf tournament.

1. The Setting: Las Vegas Meets Baseball

Las Vegas, long known for its entertainment and nightlife, was chosen as the host city for the MLB Awards Show after the league announced a strategic partnership with the city’s entertainment and tourism boards. The venue—a converted ballroom of the Mandalay Bay Hotel—was decked out with MLB’s signature colors, oversized pennants, and a giant LED screen that displayed highlights from the past season.

The choice of Las Vegas was meant to underline MLB’s intention to broaden its brand beyond baseball parks. “We want to connect with a broader audience,” said MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred in a pre‑event press release. “Vegas is the ultimate entertainment hub, and we’re excited to bring the fans of the game into a different experience.”

2. Who Attended: A “Double‑City” Legend Parade

New York Yankees

• Derek Jeter – Hall‑of‑Famer and former Yankees shortstop, presented the “Career Achievement Award” to longtime teammate Alex Rodriguez (a former Yankees outfielder). Jeter’s speech highlighted the bond between the two legends, recalling their 1998 World Series run.
• Cal Ripken Jr. – While not a Yankees legend, Ripken’s presence underscored the crossover appeal of baseball history. He was awarded the “Legacy Award” for his contributions to the sport.
• Aaron Judge – The current Yankees slugger received the “Most Valuable Player (MVP)” award for the 2024 season. Judge’s acceptance speech was laced with humor and gratitude for his teammates and the fans.

New York Mets

• David Wright – Former Mets catcher and longtime team leader, presented the “Rookie of the Year” award to Pete Alonso (who had just earned the title in 2024). Wright’s speech focused on the importance of resilience and staying true to one’s roots.
• Mike Piazza – A former Mets closer turned Hall of Fame catcher, received the “Best Defensive Player” award. Piazza’s acceptance was a reminder of the defensive excellence that often goes unnoticed in the media.
• Jacob deGrom – The Mets’ ace pitcher received the “Pitcher of the Year” award for his 2024 performance. DeGrom’s brief acceptance speech highlighted the evolution of pitching in modern baseball.

The event also featured a handful of emerging stars, such as the Mets’ rookie pitcher Eli Morgan, who received the “Breakthrough Performance” award, as well as several retired legends from other teams like Mookie Betts and Randy Johnson.

3. Award Highlights

The MLB Awards Show was structured into several categories, each with its own ceremony and ceremony host. The top awards were as follows:

• Most Valuable Player (MVP) – Aaron Judge (New York Yankees). Judge was lauded for leading the league in home runs, RBIs, and OPS in 2024, becoming the first Yankees player to earn MVP since Alex Rodriguez.
• Pitcher of the Year – Eli Morgan (New York Mets). Morgan’s dominant 2024 campaign, where he posted a 1.85 ERA and 210 strikeouts, earned him the accolade.
• Rookie of the Year – Pete Alonso (New York Mets). Alonso’s breakout season saw him hit 48 home runs and set a new MLB rookie record for total bases.
• Career Achievement Award – Derek Jeter (New York Yankees). This award celebrated Jeter’s illustrious career, highlighting his 3,465 hits and 3,374 runs batted in.
• Legacy Award – Cal Ripken Jr. (Montreal Expos). This award honored Ripken’s historic “Iron Man” streak of 2,632 consecutive games played.
• Best Defensive Player – Mike Piazza (New York Mets). The award recognized Piazza’s exceptional fielding and leadership in the outfield during his final season.

The show also featured a “Hall of Fame” segment, where a selection committee announced the next class of inductees. In a surprise announcement, the league declared that the inaugural “MLB Legends Hall” would be open to players who retired after the 2023 season, emphasizing a broader inclusion of the sport’s modern era.

4. New MLB‑Backed Golf Tournament

One of the most exciting portions of the evening was the announcement of the “MLB Championship Golf Classic.” The event will run concurrently with the MLB Awards Show and is set to take place at the newly constructed “Silver Springs Golf & Country Club” on the Las Vegas Strip. Key details include:

• Format: A 72‑hole, stroke‑play competition featuring 12 professional golfers from the PGA Tour, 12 former MLB players, and 6 current MLB stars. The tournament will incorporate an “MLB‑style” scoring system, with each hole offering “batting” or “pitching” themes that affect points.
• Prize Money: The total purse will be $5 million, with the winner receiving $1 million. The prize structure will also support a charity fund dedicated to youth baseball academies.
• Broadcast: The tournament will be televised on ESPN and streamed live on MLB.com and the MLB mobile app. Additionally, MLB will partner with the PGA Tour to integrate the tournament into the “PGA‑MLB Golf Series.”
• Celebrity Participation: As part of the event, MLB and PGA officials announced that former MLB legend Gary Sheffield will serve as a commentator, alongside PGA star Bryson DeChambeau.

The announcement was met with enthusiasm from both the baseball and golf communities. “This is a groundbreaking partnership that blends the passion of baseball with the precision of golf,” said MLB CEO Chris Antonetti. “It also gives our fans a new way to experience the MLB brand.”

5. Reactions and Future Implications

Fan Response

The event was streamed to millions worldwide, with the live feed topping 2.5 million concurrent viewers—a record for an MLB awards broadcast. Social media buzzed with clips of Judge’s MVP speech, Jeter’s career monologue, and the quirky “MLB Golf Classic” teaser videos.

Business Impact

Analysts predict that the MLB Golf Classic could become a significant revenue stream for MLB. “The cross‑market appeal is enormous,” noted sports economist Dr. Laura Kim. “You’re tapping into a demographic that follows the sport of golf and could be converted into baseball fans.”

League Strategy

The MLB has expressed intentions to expand the golf tournament into a multi‑year series. In a post‑event press release, Commissioner Manfred said, “We’re looking at a potential annual series that could run from 2026 onward, featuring a rotating host city and expanding the field of participants.”

6. Conclusion

The 2025 MLB Awards Show in Las Vegas was more than a celebration of baseball’s recent achievements; it was a strategic pivot that showcased the league’s willingness to innovate and partner across sports. From the emotional speeches by Yankees and Mets legends to the launch of the MLB Championship Golf Classic, the event embodied a dynamic future for MLB—one that blends tradition, entertainment, and new avenues for fan engagement. As the sport continues to evolve, such cross‑sport ventures may well become the norm, offering fans a richer, multi‑dimensional experience and ensuring that baseball’s legacy remains as vibrant as ever.