The AL MVP race is very close between Yankees' Aaron Judge and Mariners' Cal Raleigh, with Judge leading in overall offensive stats and WAR, but Raleigh's record-breaking season as a catcher and recognition from players make the outcome uncertain.
The 2025 MLBPA Players Choice Awards were announced on CBS Mornings, with Cal Raleigh named Player of the Year, Kyle Schwarber as the National League Outstanding Player, Tarik Skubal as the American League Outstanding Pitcher, and Paul Skenes as the National League Outstanding Pitcher, among other award winners.
Dan Wilson was named AL Manager of the Year by The Sporting News, leading the Seattle Mariners to their first AL West division title since 2001 and a strong postseason run. Catcher Cal Raleigh and outfielder Julio Rodríguez were named AL All-Stars, with Raleigh setting records for home runs and RBIs, and Rodríguez earning his third All-Star selection. The awards highlight the Mariners' successful 2025 season and standout individual performances.
Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh expressed deep disappointment after their loss to the Blue Jays in Game 7 of the ALCS, calling the season a 'failure' despite his outstanding performance, including 60 home runs in the regular season. The Mariners fell just short of the World Series after losing a 3-2 series lead, with the Blue Jays winning Game 7 in dramatic fashion. Raleigh remains a strong candidate for AL MVP, but the Mariners will reflect on their narrow miss.
The article discusses recent updates on the Seattle Mariners and other MLB teams, highlighting key players like Cal Raleigh and Jackson Chourio, and covering the ongoing MLB postseason with game details and player injuries.
During a Mariners game, Cal Raleigh hit his 60th home run, which was caught and handed to a young fan, Marcus Ruelos. Marcus chose to return the ball to the team, exemplifying kindness and selflessness, inspiring a community and highlighting the power of generosity in sports.
The Yankees subtly promoted Aaron Judge's MVP candidacy through a well-timed tweet highlighting his record-breaking number of intentional walks, contrasting his season with Cal Raleigh's, and emphasizing Judge's historic achievements despite ongoing debates about their relative contributions.
A Mariners fan, Glenn Mutti-Driscoll, was praised for giving a historic home run ball to a young boy after catching it during a game, exemplifying kindness and sportsmanship, contrasting with a recent viral incident where a fan demanded a ball from another fan. The act was celebrated by the team and fans alike, highlighting the positive side of sportsmanship.
A Mariners fan who caught Cal Raleigh's 60th home run ball gave it to a child in exchange for a signed bat and a field viewing invitation, and the fan and his family met Raleigh, as Raleigh continues to chase the AL record for home runs in a season.
Cal Raleigh's historic 60-home-run season makes a compelling case for him to be the AL MVP over Aaron Judge, whose excellence is acknowledged but whose season is not as record-breaking.
Cal Raleigh, a standout catcher for the Seattle Mariners, has hit 60 home runs this season, leading to widespread media support for him to win the AL MVP award, despite competition from Aaron Judge. Raleigh's consistent performance and defensive skills, along with his significant role in the Mariners' first division title in 24 years, have made him a top candidate in the eyes of many sports analysts and media personalities.
A Mariners fan who caught Cal Raleigh's historic 60th home run ball, a rare and valuable piece of memorabilia, selflessly gave it to 12-year-old Marcus Ruelos, exemplifying kindness and sportsmanship, rather than financial gain, creating a memorable and heartwarming moment.
A Mariners fan who caught Cal Raleigh's historic 60th home run ball chose to give it to a 12-year-old boy, Marcus Ruelos, demonstrating a heartfelt act of kindness that highlights the true spirit of sportsmanship and generosity, rather than financial gain.
Cal Raleigh hit his 60th home run, becoming the seventh player in MLB history to reach this milestone, as the Mariners clinched the AL West title with a 9-2 win over the Rockies, marking their first division title since 2001 and boosting Raleigh's pursuit of the AL single-season home run record.
The Seattle Mariners clinched their first AL West division title in 24 years, led by Cal Raleigh's record-breaking 60 home runs, and have secured a playoff spot with a strong second half performance, despite injuries and a competitive league. The team has shown resilience and depth, positioning itself as a potential contender in the postseason.