Judge or Raleigh for MVP? In Yankees’ clubhouse, answer is clear
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NEW YORK -- The Yankees heard the breathless chatter about a tight race for the American League Most Valuable Player Award through September and into the postseason. It was impossible to miss: They’d be preparing for their next game, and on their clubhouse television screens, someone would be debating Aaron Judge vs. Cal Raleigh.
It was flattering, in a sense. Raleigh, the Mariners’ switch-hitting catcher, was in the midst of a historic 60-homer performance -- yet a quick glance at the numbers suggested to many that Judge remained the more complete choice to claim his third MVP Award.
That debate now rests with members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA), who cast their ballots after the conclusion of the regular season. Judge and Raleigh were announced Monday as finalists, joined by José Ramírez of the Guardians. The winner will be announced on Nov. 13 on MLB Network.
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While the Yankees tipped their collective caps to Raleigh, their loyalties were obvious -- resting squarely with their captain, who brought home MVP hardware in 2022 and ’24.
“It’s almost like we take it for granted because he only hit 50-something homers and not 60,” first baseman Paul Goldschmidt said after the Yankees’ final game of the playoffs. “He’s the best that I’ve ever been around. He’s also just the greatest teammate I’ve been around, the best leader, cares about this organization and the fans and the people of New York. He cares about the people in this locker room.”
Added third baseman Ryan McMahon: “The guy can do it all, man. I think it’s a no-doubt MVP. Seeing him up close the last two months, it’s no doubt in my mind.”
The 6-foot-7 Judge led the Majors with a .331 batting average, becoming the tallest batting champion in history. He became just the third player to hit at least 50 home runs and win a batting title in the same season, joining Mickey Mantle (1956) and Jimmie Foxx (1938). Judge’s 53 homers were the most by any player who won a batting title.
Judge also led the Majors in on-base percentage (.457), slugging percentage (.688), OPS (1.145), times on base (310), intentional walks (36) and WAR per FanGraphs (10.1). He led the AL in runs (137), total bases (372), walks (124), and extra-base hits (85).
“I think the biggest thing is just playing more games, getting more experience, understanding game situations and what the team needs,” Judge said in September. “I’m trying to do what I can to help our team win as many ballgames as we can and put ourselves in the best position to win the World Series.”
Judge became the fifth player in the Expansion Era (since 1961) to lead the Majors in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage, a feat last accomplished by Miguel Cabrera in 2013. In an era in which batting average is frequently dismissed as outdated, Judge still values it.
"I saw a lot of the greats. Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera, they always hit above .300. The power just came with it,” Judge said. “That’s always been a goal of mine, to hit above .300.”
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The most recent player to win consecutive MVP awards is Shohei Ohtani, who won the 2023 AL MVP with the Angels and the ‘24 National League MVP with the Dodgers. The last player to win consecutive AL MVPs was Cabrera (‘12-13 with the Tigers).
“As a fan of baseball, I’m watching the best player in the league do his thing every day,” second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. said. “I’m in awe. We get to see a little bit more than anybody else -- when he’s not feeling the best, to still go out there and grind out two hits and hit ‘em 114 miles an hour off the bat. He’s a special player.”