Gunnar Henderson

What can’t Gunnar Henderson do? The Orioles shortstop has enjoyed a breakout season in 2024, emerging not just as a candidate for the American League Most Valuable Player Award but also as a linchpin for an organization that expects to be perennial playoff contenders for the foreseeable future. Henderson boasts tantalizing home run power, strong instincts on the bases and a defensive skill set that can fill a highlight reel.

Only 23 years old, Henderson has already captured Baltimore’s attention and that of baseball fans around everywhere. He was among the leading vote-getters for a starting spot in this year’s MLB All-Star Game, the annual midsummer gathering of the sport’s best players. In true humble Henderson fashion, the Alabama native credited hard work and his coaching staff for getting him this far.

“It’s just kind of a testament to the development that I’ve had and then also just the work that I felt like I put in during the offseason and also getting to spring training and just being able to work with the infield coaches [and] the hitting coaches,” Henderson said. “Being able to just have guys like that in your corner and to go to work for them each and every day, it makes it fun coming to the ballpark.”

Baltimore’s newest superstar is a self-described “old soul” who listens to classic rock, builds LEGOs and takes his craft seriously. Revered in the minor leagues for his work ethic, he has won Orioles fans over with his blue-collar attitude and consistent production. As the club takes aim at ending its 36-year World Series drought this October, Henderson is leading the way. The future has arrived.

— Matt Weyrich

Activist

Frank Neighoff

Honorable mentions

Steven Rivelis

Evan Woodard

Kate Cook

Author

Charmyra E. Fleming

Honorable mentions

Jennifer Vido

John Waters

Laura Lippman

Clergyperson

Richard Dickens, New Metropolitan Baptist Church

Honorable mentions

Ben Cachiaras, Mountain Christian Church

Jim Muratore, St. Luke’s Church on the Avenue

Bonnie McCubbin, Old Otterbein United Methodist Church

College professor

Alan Orr, Maryland Institute College of Art

Honorable mentions

Mark Hubbard, Loyola University Maryland

Curtis Black, Coppin State University

Katie Moulton, Johns Hopkins University

DJ

DJ Steezy

Honorable mentions

DJ Chuckspinz

DJ Kopec

DJ Groovy Twist

Instagram account

J.B. Shepard @Puptrait

Honorable mentions

@thebaltimorefoodie

@themodestflorist

@Wine.Dine.Repeat

Meteorologist

Justin Berk, justinweather.com

Honorable mentions

Tom Tasselmyer, WBAL-TV

Ava Marie, WBAL-TV

Tony Pann, WBAL-TV

Oriole

Gunnar Henderson

Honorable mentions

Adley Rutschman

Cedric Mullins

Anthony Santander

Personal trainer

Kelly Whalen, Maryland Athletic Club

Honorable mentions

Candice Hennessey, Yoga Centric

Dani K Gym & Wellness

Sean Shuman, Jewish Community Center

Podcast

No Pix After Dark

Honorable mentions

Irreverent Health with Tom Ingegno and Matt Hampton

Conversations with Rich Bennett

Aaron Palmer, Native Tongues

Politician/government official

Tony Giangiordano, Harford County Council

Honorable mentions

Gov. Wes Moore

Rep. Jamie Raskin

Odette Ramos, Baltimore City Council

Radio host

Josh Spiegel, 98 Rock Baltimore

Honorable mentions

Tom Hall, WYPR 88.1FM

Bob Delmont, 93.1 WPOC

T.J. Smith, WBAL NewsRadio 1090

Radio station

WYPR 88.1 FM

Honorable mentions

93.1 WPOC

98 ROCK, WIYY 97.9 FM

WTMD 89.7 FM

Raven

Justin Tucker

Honorable mentions

Lamar Jackson

Mark Andrews

Roquan Smith

School principal

Erin Upton, St. Elizabeth School

Honorable mentions

Carl Patton, The John Carroll School

Darryl Robbins, Sandymount Elementary

Bryan Pawlicki, North Harford High

Sports talk show

Ravens Gameday Radio, 98 Rock

Honorable mentions

Big Bad Morning Show, 105.7 The Fan

Bob Haynie, CBS Radio 105.7 The Fan

Stage actor

Bruce Randolph Nelson, Everyman Theatre

Honorable mention

Todd Krickler, Spotlighters Theatre

TV personality

Denise Koch, WJZ

Honorable mentions

Ashley Hinson, WBAL

Kai Jackson, WBFF

Kevin Brown, Orioles ESPN

Twitter feed

Courtney Bindl @notmythirdrodeo

Honorable mentions

Carol Ott @carolSOtt

Jake Leizear @jake_my_day

Visual artist

J.B. Shepard

Honorable mentions

Collin Cessna

McFadden Art Glass

Joyce Scott