It is one of the most hotly contested MVP debates in recent memory, and The Athletic's voting writers tried to put it all into perspective.

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Why Cal Raleigh Should Have Won 2025 AL MVP Over Aaron Judge. Despite breaking records and leading MLB in both home runs and RBIs during the 2025 season, Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh fell short of winning the American League MVP award on Thursday night.

The AL MVP race has produced a remarkably diverse mix of stars over the past decade. From massive home run seasons to two-way dominance, the award has showcased players who shaped entire seasons, and,

Aaron Judge was announced as AL MVP winner but many fans believed Mariners' catcher Cal Raleigh got robbed of the honours.