On the 100th anniversary of the event’s inception, the New York chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America held a dinner Saturday night in New York City to present the annual BBWAA awards to those players whose excellence during the 2023 regular season was worthy of prestigious recognition.

This year, historic and jaw-dropping performances from the best players in the world were celebrated, with two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani and superstar center fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. headlining the evening and officially receiving their Most Valuable Player Awards.

“This MVP Award is very prestigious and winning this award means the world to me,” said Ohtani, whose tremendous 2023 campaign resulted in his second career American League MVP honor.

• Complete MLB Awards results/history

Ohtani addressed his past and also his future in the wake of his record-setting $700 million contract with the Dodgers.

“To the Angels organization -- ownership, front office and the entire staff -- thank you for the past six years,” he said. “I always appreciated your support and allowing me the opportunity to play this game I’m so passionate about. To my teammates and the coaching staff, for helping and encouraging me throughout the year: I felt your support every day.

“To the Dodgers organization for believing in me: I’m looking forward to this next phase in my career.”

“He’s one of the most talented players I’ve ever seen,” said Dusty Baker, who was honored with the William Slocum/Jack Lang “Long and Meritorious Service” award, along with Miguel Cabrera and Terry Francona.

For Acuña’s part, after he thanked the writers, his teammates and his family, he had a scary message for opponents across the Majors, particularly given that he just became the first player in AL/NL history to hit at least 40 home runs and steal at least 70 bases in the same season.

“I’m just getting started with what I can do in this sport,” Acuña said. “I’m feeling stronger, faster and healthier than ever.”

The AL Cy Young Award winner, Gerrit Cole, had a special introduction from someone who went before him as one of the greatest pitchers in Yankees history. Ron Guidry is one of five pitchers in franchise history to win the Cy Young Award before Cole this past year.

It was even more special for Cole given that Guidry has been one of his mentors since joining the Yanks.

“I’m very humbled by this award,” Cole said. “It’s a truly special honor that fills me with pride and validation for the hard work and effort we put into our craft. … I still dream most nights of the perfect pitch, of the biggest execution in the biggest moment. And it’s hard for me to believe that those dreams I had as a boy are the same dreams I have today.”

NL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell, who has now won the honor in both leagues (also in 2018 while with the Rays), spoke of his father and how much it meant to him to be able to share his latest accolade.

“Winning this thing means a lot to me,” Snell said. “But my dad -- that’s who put in all the work, all the time with me. It’s really when I hand this award to him that makes me pretty emotional, but pretty excited to see that the journey has all come together.

“I want to thank my brothers for not telling me I’m good enough,” Snell also said. “It works.”

Other award recipients included AL Rookie of the Year Gunnar Henderson of the Orioles, NL Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll of the D-backs, AL Manager of the Year Brandon Hyde of the Orioles and NL Manager of the Year Skip Schumaker of the Marlins.

• Watch speeches: Henderson | Carroll | Hyde | Schumaker

“To the Orioles organization; thank you for giving a small-town kid a chance to follow out his dreams,” Henderson said.

Also receiving honors were D-backs general manager Mike Hazen (Gotta Have Heart Award), John Olerud and Edgardo Alfonzo (Willie, Mickey and the Duke Award), Ramiro Mendoza (You Could Look It Up Award), Francisco Lindor (Toast of the Town Award), Liam Hendriks (Community Service Award), Adam Ottavino (Good Guy Award) and Joe Castiglione (Ford C. Frick Award).