Aaron Judge has done it again, solidifying his baseball legacy with a third American League MVP Award—a feat that all but guarantees his place in the Hall of Fame. But here’s where it gets controversial: Did Judge truly deserve this win over Cal Raleigh, whose historic season as a catcher and switch hitter turned heads across the league? Let’s dive in.
In a tightly contested race, New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge edged out Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh for the MVP title. Judge, who led the MLB with a staggering .331 batting average and 53 home runs, secured 17 first-place votes and 355 points, compared to Raleigh’s 13 first-place votes and 335 points. The Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) announced the results on Thursday night, with Cleveland Guardians’ José Ramírez trailing in third place with 224 points.
Judge’s dominance at the plate propelled the Yankees to a tie for the AL’s best record, overshadowing whispers of voter fatigue. Meanwhile, Raleigh’s 60 home runs—the most ever by a catcher or switch hitter—helped Seattle clinch its first AL West title since 2001. And this is the part most people miss: Raleigh’s unprecedented season as a catcher, a position notorious for its physical demands, included leading the AL in RBIs with 125, surpassing Judge’s 114.
In the National League, Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers unanimously claimed his fourth MVP award, further cementing his status as a two-way legend.
Judge’s latest MVP win places him in elite company. He joins Yankees greats like Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, and Roger Maris as the only players in franchise history to win back-to-back MVP awards. At 33, Judge admitted it’s “mind-blowing” to be on the cusp of Cooperstown, especially considering every player with three MVPs is either a Hall of Famer, a future inductee, or embroiled in PED controversies.
But let’s pause for a moment: Should Raleigh’s groundbreaking season have earned him the MVP nod? His ability to maintain two distinct swings, lead a pitching staff, and perform at an elite level while playing 159 games (121 as a catcher) is nothing short of remarkable. Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch praised Raleigh’s resilience, calling it “amazing.”
Judge’s injury-plagued season—including a right forearm flexor strain that sidelined him for 10 days—didn’t slow him down. He still led the majors in on-base percentage (.457), slugging percentage (.688), and WAR (10.1 via FanGraphs). His historic campaign included becoming just the third player in MLB history to hit 50+ home runs and win a batting title in the same season, joining Mantle (1956) and Jimmie Foxx (1938).
Yet, the debate rages on. Did Judge’s offensive prowess outweigh Raleigh’s all-around impact? Or should Raleigh’s record-breaking season as a catcher have tipped the scales in his favor? Yankees manager Aaron Boone aptly noted, “It’s becoming increasingly difficult to capture how good [Judge] is,” but Raleigh’s season was undeniably special.
As for Judge’s Hall of Fame case, FanGraphs senior writer Jay Jaffe believes this MVP win is “one more big point in his favor.” But the real question is: Will Raleigh’s 2025 season be remembered as one of the greatest snubs in MVP history?
What do you think? Did the voters get it right, or should Raleigh have taken home the hardware? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
