The better player. The better season. In the end, it was that simple reasoning that landed Yankees captain Aaron Judge the 2025 American League Most Valuable Player award.

There was an abundance of theories about why Seattle’s Cal Raleigh could be selected as the AL MVP over Judge. He hit seven more home runs, and his 60 were the most ever by a catcher. He surpassed Mickey Mantle’s record of 54 home runs by a switch hitter. A catcher plays a more important role in a team’s success than an outfielder or a designated hitter does.

But no sort of mental gymnastics was going to get away from the sober reality that Judge was the better player and had the better season.

“I never came into this game chasing awards, chasing anything besides getting the chance to win and leave this game better th

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