Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees has solidified his place among baseball’s elite by winning the American League MVP for the third time in four years.
With this victory, Judge became just the 13th player in Major League history to win three or more MVP awards, and only the fourth Yankee to do so, joining the legendary Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, and Joe DiMaggio. The milestone is a testament not only to his prodigious talent but also to his consistency and resilience over multiple seasons.
The MVP race this year was one of the closest in recent memory. Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who set the record books alight with 60 home runs, was Judge’s main competitor, and the voting reflected just how tight the contest was.
Judge received 17 of the 30 first-place votes and 13 second-place votes, while Raleigh claimed the remaining 13 first-place votes and 17 second-place votes. Remarkably, if just two writers had swapped their ballots, the award would have ended in a tie.
Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramírez finished third, and Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. placed fourth, rounding out a highly competitive field.
A place among legends
Judge’s third MVP firmly cements him among Yankees royalty. His career trajectory has been a testament to resilience and dominance. He first won the award in 2022 after smashing an American League single-season home run record with 62 homers.
Following a toe injury that disrupted his 2023 campaign, Judge returned in 2024 to post one of the most remarkable offensive seasons in recent memory, slashing .322/.458/.701 with 58 home runs and 144 RBIs. In 2025, despite a two-week stint on the injured list due to a flexor strain in his right elbow, Judge arguably had the best season of his career, further solidifying his legendary status.
Humble as ever, Judge praised his competition. “They had two incredible seasons,” he told MLB Network, referring to Raleigh and Ramírez. “It’s always fun playing against those two, especially when we play Seattle. The main objective is, ‘Make sure Cal doesn’t beat you.'”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone captured the sentiment perfectly: “It’s becoming increasingly difficult for me to use words to capture how good he is. He’s just playing at a higher level, and has been for quite some time.”
This milestone is more than just another award for Judge, it is an affirmation of sustained excellence and a permanent mark on baseball history.
Standing alongside Berra, DiMaggio, and Mantle, Judge has not only reached the pinnacle of individual achievement but also carved out a legacy within one of the sport’s most storied franchises. For Yankees fans, this isn’t merely a victory; it is the celebration of greatness that will be remembered for generations.
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