Story perspectives

Cal Raleigh Edges Aaron Judge in AL MVP Race

9/21/2025

Summary

Story summary

The AL MVP race is tight, with Cal Raleigh leading Aaron Judge 7-6 in a recent poll among MLB executives.
Judge has 48 home runs, a .327 batting average, and 104 RBIs, while Raleigh has 56 home runs, a .246 average, and 118 RBIs.
Judge excels in OPS and batting average, while Raleigh shines defensively as a catcher.
Both players have set significant records this season, including Raleigh's marks for home runs by a catcher and switch-hitter.
The final decision may depend on team performance and individual contributions as the season wraps up.

History

Historical Context

The late 1990s marked a significant era in Major League Baseball, highlighted by Mark McGwire's record-setting 70 home runs in 1998, alongside Sammy Sosa's impressive performance. Today, Cal Raleigh's 56 home runs lead the AL MVP race, reflecting a continued emphasis on power hitting. This trend may reshape player evaluations and team strategies, echoing the power surge of the late '90s.

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Story summary

The AL MVP race is tight, with Cal Raleigh leading Aaron Judge 7-6 in a recent poll among MLB executives.
Judge has 48 home runs, a .327 batting average, and 104 RBIs, while Raleigh has 56 home runs, a .246 average, and 118 RBIs.
Judge excels in OPS and batting average, while Raleigh shines defensively as a catcher.
Both players have set significant records this season, including Raleigh's marks for home runs by a catcher and switch-hitter.
The final decision may depend on team performance and individual contributions as the season wraps up.

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