Aaron Judge Edges Cal Raleigh in Narrow MVP Vote Victory
Aaron Judge has claimed the American League MVP award for the 2025 season in a tightly contested race against Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners. The final tally revealed that Judge won by a mere four first-place votes, marking one of the closest MVP contests since 2019.
Historic MVP Race
This year’s MVP vote is particularly notable as it continues a trend of closely fought contests. The last comparable scenario occurred in 2019 when Mike Trout edged Alex Bregman by the same narrow margin. The 2006 MVP race between Justin Morneau and Derek Jeter also showcases the competitive history of the award.
Cal Raleigh’s Outstanding Season
Cal Raleigh delivered an exceptional performance this season, solidifying his status as one of the top catchers in Major League Baseball. Key highlights of Raleigh’s 2025 season include:
- Led the league with 60 home runs.
- Achieved 125 RBIs.
- Posted a remarkable OPS of .948.
Raleigh’s contributions were instrumental in guiding the Mariners to their first AL Championship Series appearance in 24 years, although they eventually fell to the Toronto Blue Jays in a seven-game series.
Aaron Judge’s Remarkable Achievement
Despite the fierce competition, Aaron Judge’s performance solidified his status as one of the league’s elite players. This victory marks his second consecutive MVP award, making him only the fourth New York Yankee to win back-to-back titles. The last player to achieve this feat was Roger Maris, who did so following the 1960 and 1961 seasons.
With this award, Judge joins rare company as the 13th player in MLB history to secure at least three MVP awards. This esteemed group includes notable Yankees such as Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, and Mickey Mantle. Alex Rodriguez, although having three MVP awards, won his first with the Texas Rangers in 2003.
Batting Title Triumph
In addition to the MVP award, Judge also clinched his first batting title, leading the majors with an impressive .331 batting average. Reflecting on his achievements, Judge commented, “It’s pretty wild,” highlighting the dedication it takes to maintain focus throughout a long season.
As the 2025 season concludes, Judge’s accolades position him as one of the most celebrated players in Yankees history, while Raleigh’s extraordinary performance sets the stage for future contention in the MVP ballots. Both players have solidified their reputations, adding excitement for the seasons to come.
