Aaron Judge narrowly defeated Cal Raleigh to win the 2025 American League MVP, in a vote that left some critics questioning the decision.
On Thursday, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America awarded the New York Yankees slugger his third MVP, a milestone achieved by only a handful of Yankees, including Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, and Mickey Mantle.
Judge secured 17 first-place votes and 13 second-place votes, just edging out Seattle Mariners’ catcher Raleigh, who earned 13 first-place votes and 17 second-place votes. The close tally highlighted one of the tightest MVP races in recent memory.
Judge’s offensive season was historic. He claimed his first batting title with a .331 average, led the league with 53 home runs, and maintained a high OPS that set him apart from his peers. Yet, despite these impressive statistics, sports media personality Dan Patrick argued that Raleigh had a stronger case.
On The Dan Patrick Show, Patrick raised a provocative scenario: “If Aaron Judge was on Seattle and Cal Raleigh was on the Yankees … who wins MVP?” Patrick suggested that playing in a large-market team like the Yankees often amplifies a player’s recognition and questioned whether voters might have been influenced by Judge’s market and profile.
Why some believe Raleigh was snubbed
Patrick’s criticism focused on more than just offensive output. He highlighted the defensive challenges of catching, a position often underappreciated but critical to a team’s success. Raleigh not only hit 60 home runs, shattering records for catchers and switch-hitters, but also played almost every game while managing a young Mariners pitching staff that helped the team reach the playoffs.
“Aaron Judge can be a liability in the field,” Patrick said, “but it’s not just that he’s not a great fielder; it’s that Cal Raleigh is excelling at the hardest position in baseball while performing at an elite offensive level.”
Raleigh’s ability to combine defensive excellence with historic power numbers underscored the argument for his candidacy. Patrick and other analysts noted that catchers endure immense physical strain without rest, making Raleigh’s durability and consistency even more impressive.
In contrast, Judge, while a phenomenal hitter, plays in the outfield where defensive demands are generally less intensive, and mistakes are often less consequential.
Despite the controversy, Judge’s achievement remains historic. By winning his third MVP, he solidified his place among the Yankees’ elite. In a post-award interview with MLB Network, Judge acknowledged the pressures of playing in New York but expressed his enthusiasm for the challenge.
“It’s a lot of responsibility playing in New York, but that’s what I love,” he said.
While Judge continues to cement his legacy, the debate over the 2025 AL MVP highlights a broader discussion in baseball: how voters weigh offensive dominance against defensive responsibility and position difficulty. For many, Raleigh’s season will remain a standout example of excellence that may not have received full recognition.
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