Yankees' Aaron Judge named American League MVP for second straight season, third time in four years

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 than I found it,” Judge said on a conference call after the award was announced Thursday night. “If I would have won by one vote — if I would have won by 20 votes — that didn’t matter in my eyes. Or if I lost, it’s just amazing. Getting into this opportunity? Man, you get one life, and getting a chance to experience these things is pretty special.”

Judge was simply the best player on the AL team with the best record (the Yankees finished in a tie with Toronto). He was statistically superior to Raleigh in too many categories — often by wide margins.

For those who subscribe to traditional measures, Judge won the batting title with a .331 average (84 points better than Raleigh) and his on-base percentage was .457 (98 points better). His OPS was a staggering 1.144, 185 points better than Raleigh, and he scored 137 runs to Raleigh’s 110.

Judge also was better by the advanced metrics many have come to favor. He finished better than Raleigh in bWAR, 9.7-7.4, and in fWAR, 10.1-9.1. In OPS+ (which factors in leagues and parks), Judge was ahead 215-169.

He was voted MVP for the second straight year and the third time in four seasons.

Judge earned 17 of 30 first-place votes to finish with 355 points, 20 ahead of Raleigh, who got 13 first-place votes and finished with 335 points. The two of them received all of the first-place votes.

Jose Ramirez of the Guardians — the other announced finalist — finished third with 224 points and 19 third-place votes. The other third-place vote-getters were Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (nine), Detroit starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (one) and Tampa Bay third baseman Junior Caminero (one).

Cody Bellinger of the Yankees placed 14th in points.

Judge is the fourth Yankee to win three MVPs. He again finds himself among franchise icon Hall of Famers as he joins Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra and Mantle. Lou Gehrig, Roger Maris and Alex Rodriguez each won two MVPs while playing for the Yankees.

“It’s pretty amazing to see just the guys that have won three MVPs here with the Yankees,” Judge said in a post-awards conference call. “It’s just, it’s mind-boggling. . . . I’m chasing ghosts. It’s just incredible what these guys accomplished in their careers and what they did and in New York City. And I’m just humbled and blessed to be in this position.

“One of the things when I signed back with the Yankees in ’23 is I wanted to finish a job here and bring back a World Series. We’re still on that mission, but getting a chance to climb up these lists of these greats has been truly such an honor.”

“He is a once-in-a-generation player who embodies so much of what is good about our game,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said in a team statement. “Aaron is being celebrated again tonight, and rightfully so. He has blossomed into one of sports’ greatest superstars.

“[He] has been playing in rarefied air for much of his career. His devotion to his craft, his continuous pursuit of excellence and the importance he places on being a teammate who can be counted on help define his legacy just as much as his three MVP Awards.”

“It has been an absolute privilege to watch Aaron’s ascension,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said in a team statement. “He’s already fashioned a career that matches up with the all-time greats. I see it every single day — and I think it’s critical to acknowledge the work that Aaron puts in to maintain this inconceivable level of excellence as a player.”

Judge is the first player to repeat as AL MVP since Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera in 2012 and 2013.

“I’d trade every award I’ve gotten and every All-Star appearance for an opportunity to win a championship,” Judge said. “That’s my main focus. That’s why I wake up every day, why I continue to try to improve and become a better player.”

By Roger Rubin

roger.rubin@newsday.com@rogrubin

Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.