Aaron Judge Wins Third AL MVP, Edges Raleigh for Yankees

The 2025 baseball season brought one of the closest MVP races in recent memory. Aaron Judge snagged his third American League Most Valuable Player award in four seasons.

The New York Yankees right fielder edged out Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh by the tiniest of margins. Judge’s win added another chapter to his growing legend, and honestly, it was a wild season—record-breaking, nail-biting voting, and a playoff run that reminded everyone just how much he means to the Yankees.

A Historic MVP Victory for Aaron Judge

Winning the AL MVP is hard enough, but Judge now has three in such a short stretch. That puts him next to Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, and Mickey Mantle as the only Yankees with at least three MVPs.

2025 might have been Judge’s best year yet. The numbers are kind of jaw-dropping.

Dominance at the Plate

Judge picked up his first batting title with a .331 average. He also crushed 53 home runs—no batting champ has ever hit more in a season.

• Led MLB in OPS (1.144)
• Led MLB in wRC+ (204)
• Led MLB in fWAR (10.1)
• Finished first in batting average, on-base, and slugging percentage—the fifth player to do that since 1961

A flexor strain kept him out for two weeks, but he came back strong. After returning, he moved past Berra and DiMaggio on the Yankees’ all-time home run list.

The Race That Came Down to the Wire

Cal Raleigh wasn’t just a runner-up—he made the 2025 MVP race must-watch stuff. Raleigh hit 60 home runs, which set records for both catchers and switch-hitters.

His year was historic and made the voting ridiculously close. You could feel the tension.

The Narrow Margin

Judge picked up 17 first-place votes, while Raleigh got 13 out of 30. If just two voters had flipped, we’d have seen a tie.

That slim gap really shows how good both players were. It’s rare to see an MVP race with this much drama.

Boone’s Praise and Judge’s Mindset

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Judge’s greatness is getting “increasingly difficult to put into words.” Boone sees Judge’s leadership and consistency as irreplaceable.

Judge’s Own Words

Judge, as usual, tried to deflect the spotlight. He credited his success to consistency, focus, and wanting to win in New York.

For him, the real prize is bringing a World Series back to the Bronx. Personal awards? Nice, but not the main thing.

Postseason Brilliance Amid Team Frustrations

The Yankees still haven’t broken their championship drought, now at 16 years. Even so, Judge put up ridiculous postseason numbers.

He batted .500 in the playoffs and smashed a huge three-run homer in the AL Division Series. The guy just has a knack for big moments.

Legacy Beyond the MVPs

Three MVPs in four years, a batting title, and a stack of milestones—Judge isn’t just building a Hall of Fame case. He’s changing what we expect from greatness in today’s game.

The Final Word

This season was packed with extraordinary performances. The MVP race between Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh kept everyone on edge.

Judge stood out, but Raleigh carved out his own piece of history. Their battle? It’s one people won’t forget anytime soon.

For Yankees fans, the hope is clear: Judge’s winning ways eventually translate into October glory, ending a drought that feels far too long for the game’s most iconic franchise.

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