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Aaron Choose might need received this season’s American League MVP award — however his competitors was inside arm’s attain.
Choose beat out Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh by simply 4 first-place votes, the closest MVP race in any league since 2019, when Angels outfielder Mike Trout received over Astros third baseman Alex Bregman by the identical margin.
Earlier than that, the subsequent closest AL MVP race got here when Justin Morneau of the Twins bested Derek Jeter in 2006, with the primary baseman getting 15 first-place votes to Jeter’s 12.
Raleigh had the most effective offensive seasons for a catcher in latest historical past, hitting a MLB-leading 60 house runs, together with 125 RBIs and a .948 OPS.
The 28-year-old additionally helped lead the Mariners to their first ALCS look in 24 seasons, in the end dropping to the Blue Jays in seven video games.
Regardless of Raleigh’s efforts, it was merely not sufficient to dethrone Choose, who now turns into the fourth Yankee to win back-to-back MVP awards, and the primary since Roger Maris did so following the 1960-61 seasons.
“After we play Seattle, the principle goal is to ensure Cal [Raleigh] doesn’t beat you,” Choose mentioned whereas accepting the 2025 AL MVP award on Thursday.
Choose can also be now in uncommon firm as simply the thirteenth participant to win at the very least three MVP awards all through their profession, becoming a member of Yankees legends Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle, who additionally achieved the feat.
Alex Rodriguez has additionally received three MVP awards, however his first got here when he was a member of the Rangers in 2003.
Together with the MVP, Choose additionally received the primary batting title of his profession, main the majors with a .331 common.
“It’s fairly wild,” Choose mentioned relating to the batting title. “You attempt not to consider it throughout the season. I attempt to preserve my head down by way of all 162 and do no matter I can in at the moment’s recreation to assist our staff win. You do what you possibly can, give it your all, and also you get up the subsequent day and do it once more.”
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