Aaron Judge Claims Tight AL MVP Title Amid Strong Competition

Aaron Judge has emerged victorious in a closely contested American League MVP race, edging out Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh by just four first-place votes. This marks one of the most competitive MVP contests in recent memory, reminiscent of the 2019 showdown between Mike Trout and Alex Bregman, which also had a narrow margin.

A Historic MVP Race

• Winning Margin: Judge’s win is the closest since Trout’s victory in 2019.
• Previous Close Races: Before this, the tightest AL MVP race was in 2006 when Justin Morneau narrowly defeated Derek Jeter.

Cal Raleigh’s Stellar Season

Cal Raleigh had an extraordinary season that deserves recognition:

• Home Runs: Led MLB with 60 home runs.
• RBIs: Accumulated 125 RBIs.
• OPS: Registered an impressive .948 OPS.

Raleigh not only excelled individually but also played a crucial role in leading the Seattle Mariners to their first ALCS appearance in 24 years, although they were ultimately defeated by the Blue Jays in a dramatic seven-game series.

Cal Raleigh (29) connects for a solo home run during game 5 of the ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays. (AP)

Aaron Judge: A Back-to-Back MVP

Despite Raleigh’s impressive performance, it wasn’t enough to dethrone Judge, who now becomes the fourth player in Yankees history to win consecutive MVP awards, joining the ranks of legends like Roger Maris.

Judge’s Journey

• Third MVP Award: This accolade makes Judge one of just 13 players to have won at least three MVPs.
• Joining the Giants: His esteemed company includes Yankees greats like Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and Yogi Berra.

Victory Speech Highlights

Upon receiving the MVP award, Judge acknowledged the fierce competition:

“When we play Seattle, the main objective is to make sure Cal [Raleigh] doesn’t beat you,” Judge remarked, underscoring Raleigh’s formidable skills.

Judge’s Remarkable Achievements in 2025

In addition to his MVP title, Judge secured his first batting title, finishing the season with a league-leading batting average of .331.

His Reaction

Reflecting on winning the batting title, Judge noted:

“It’s pretty wild. You try not to think about it during the season. I try to keep my head down through all 162 and do whatever I can to help our team win.”

Aaron Judge (99) swings and misses during a game against the Seattle Mariners in challenging weather conditions. (Robert Sabo for NY Post)

Conclusion

The 2025 AL MVP race showcased the extraordinary talents of Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh, highlighting that every season brings new challenges and worthy contenders. Fans eagerly await what both players will achieve in the coming years.

For More Information

• Read about the full details of the 2025 ALCS.
• Discover statistics and insights on Aaron Judge’s performance.
• Follow the ongoing developments in the MLB on platforms like ESPN for continuous updates.