Yankees Fans Support Aaron Judge Amid Mariners President’s Bold Cal Raleigh MVP Claim
Seattle Mariners General Manager Jerry Dipoto has voiced a strong endorsement for Cal Raleigh in the American League Most Valuable Player (MVP) race, suggesting that Raleigh should surpass New York Yankees star Aaron Judge. During a recent end-of-season press conference, Dipoto acknowledged Judge’s impressive abilities but insisted Raleigh’s contributions to his team were significant. “I think Aaron Judge is an unbelievable player—certain to enter the Hall of Fame on the first ballot,” Dipoto stated. “However, I can’t imagine he did more for his team than Cal did on every front.”
Yankees Fans React to Dipoto’s MVP Claim
Dipoto’s remarks led to a flurry of responses from Yankees fans. Many expressed doubt about the validity of his claim regarding Raleigh’s MVP candidacy.
- One fan highlighted that without Judge, the Yankees may not have reached the playoffs, contrasting that with the Mariners’ chances without Raleigh.
- Another fan speculated that Dipoto’s comments were motivated by contract considerations, suggesting he wanted to avoid paying Raleigh a bonus for achieving MVP status.
- Some fans even challenged Dipoto’s credibility, questioning if he would truly prefer Raleigh over Judge if there was a trade involved.
Comparing Player Performances
Both players enjoyed remarkable seasons with notable achievements:
- Aaron Judge: He secured the American League batting title and registered an MLB-high 9.7 Wins Above Replacement (bWAR).
- Cal Raleigh: He led the American League in RBIs and home runs, breaking records for the most home runs by both a catcher and a switch hitter.
Raleigh’s total of 65 home runs, combined from the regular season and postseason, set a new American League record, surpassing Judge’s previous season marks.
Upcoming Awards and Honors
The MVP awards will be announced on November 13, with voting conducted by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Additionally, Raleigh is among the finalists for the Silver Slugger award alongside his teammates, while the Yankees have multiple players nominated.
| Player | Team | Award |
|---|---|---|
| Cal Raleigh | Seattle Mariners | Finalist for Silver Slugger (Catcher) |
| Aaron Judge | New York Yankees | Finalist for Silver Slugger (Outfielder) |
| Julio Rodríguez | Seattle Mariners | Finalist for Silver Slugger (Outfielder) |
| Cody Bellinger | New York Yankees | Finalist for Silver Slugger (Outfielder) |
| Jorge Polanco | Seattle Mariners | Finalist for Silver Slugger (Second Baseman) |
As the MVP race heats up, fans and analysts alike are eagerly anticipating who will take home the prestigious award, with the debate on Raleigh and Judge continuing to unfold in the coming weeks.
