Aaron Judge is delivering another season worthy of Most Valuable Player consideration for the New York Yankees, but his bid for the award is facing stiff competition. As of Monday, Judge holds the major league lead with a .352 batting average, while Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh dominates with 38 home runs, challenging Judge’s bid for MVP honors.
In addition to Raleigh’s home run lead, he tops the American League in RBIs with 83, narrowly ahead of Judge, who has 82 RBIs. This closely matched offensive output sets the stage for one of the closest AL MVP contests in decades.
Comparing Judge and Raleigh’s Historic Performances
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Raleigh’s 38 homers are just ten shy of the single-season record for home runs by a catcher, while Judge’s 1.187 OPS positions him to possibly become the first player since Miguel Cabrera in 2012 to win the coveted Triple Crown, which honors leading the league in batting average, home runs, and RBIs.
Nightengale also pointed out,
“But if Raleigh breaks Judge’s AL record of 62 home runs, and leads the Mariners into the playoffs, all bets are off. This could be the closest AL MVP race involving a Yankee player since Joe DiMaggio beat Ted Williams by a single vote in 1947.”
A Glimpse Back at the 1947 MVP Contest
The 1947 American League MVP race remains one of the most memorable and competitive in baseball history. Ted Williams claimed the Triple Crown that year with a league-leading 32 home runs, 114 RBIs, and a .343 batting average. He also led MLB in walks (162), on-base percentage (.499), and OPS (1.133).
Despite Williams’ statistical dominance, Joe DiMaggio received the MVP award, even though his WAR (Wins Above Replacement) was 4.7 compared to Williams’s 9.5.
This was not the first time Williams won the Triple Crown without earning MVP honors. In 1942, Williams again led the majors in several categories, but Yankees’ second baseman Joe Gordon won the MVP award instead.
What This Means for Aaron Judge’s MVP Chances
Whether Aaron Judge follows in the footsteps of DiMaggio or Williams depends largely on the final weeks of the season. Judge is pursuing his third MVP award in four years, an achievement previously accomplished by legendary Yankees such as Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, and Mickey Mantle.
The ongoing race between Judge and Raleigh highlights the excitement and unpredictability of this season’s AL MVP race, with Raleigh’s potential to break Judge’s own home run record adding significant intrigue.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is Aaron Judge so special?
A. Aaron Judge is famous for hitting many home runs. He has had three seasons with 50 or more homers. Only four other players have ever done this.
Q. How old was Aaron Judge adopted?
A. Aaron Judge was adopted right after he was born in 1992 by a couple who were teachers in California. When he turned around 10 years old, Aaron noticed that he looked different from his parents and understood that he was adopted.
Q. Is Aaron Judge biological?
A. Patty and Wayne became Aaron’s adoptive parents just one day after he was born in Sacramento, California. The MLB player was adopted through a closed process, meaning he never met or knew his biological parents. Their names and identities remain a mystery to him.
Q. Does Aaron Judge have a good arm?
A. Aaron Judge has an incredibly strong and precise throwing arm. His talent is exceptional, making him one of the best in terms of arm ability.