This year’s AL MVP race is quite possibly the most gripping it has been in the last few years. One NL executive perfectly summed it up when he said, “I’m actually glad I don’t have a vote.” A recent poll by MLB.com further exemplified how close the margins will be between Aaron Judge and Cal  Raleigh. The results were almost even, with Raleigh edging out Judge by 7-6, with one opting for a tie. Although there will be fans who’ll make a convincing case for either of them, one broadcaster’s coverage received huge backlash from fans for taking sides in this debate.

The broadcaster in question? FOX network. The reason for the fan backlash? FOX ran a graphic recently in which they had drawn a comparison between Judge and Raleigh’s metrics. They highlighted only one stat, home runs, where Raleigh had the edge. At the time of writing, Aaron Judge has 48 home runs, a .327 batting average, 104 RBIs, and 1.125 OPS.

Meanwhile, Cal Raleigh holds 56 home runs, a .246 batting average, 118 RBIs, and .943 OPS. So technically, except for home runs and RBIs, Judge is leading in all the metrics. Considering that, @rational_yankee blasted FOX for anti-Aaron Judge advocacy. “Why is the only highlighted statistic here Raleigh’s HR total? Judge outpaces Raleigh in basically every offensive category and Fox highlights the only category Raleigh leads in. The media is doing everything it can to create a story around the AL MVP.” He noted. It gained divided impressions, with some agreeing with the bias while the other half felt it was overblown.

Apparently, this AL race—Judge vs. Raleigh—has all the potential to join the company of the closest MVP votes in the league’s history. For the record, Judge’s 211 OPS+ places him on pace to top the 200 mark for the third time in four consecutive seasons.

That territory hasn’t been touched by any player since Barry Bonds in 2004. On the other hand, Raleigh has just made another wild history by breaking Mickey Mantle’s switch-hitting home run record. He’s now tied with legend Ken Griffey Jr. for the Seattle Mariners’ single-season mark.

So, whoever takes the AL MVP title home, we can vouch that it’s going to be a close one. But for now, all eyes are on Aaron Judge, who’s on pace to make another wild history.

Aaron Judge is just 2 homers away from another incredible history

It’s the final stretch. With just a few games left to be played in the regular season, Aaron Judge is only 2 home runs away from hitting his 50th. It’ll be marked as the fourth time in his career that he’s reached 50 while also crossing 100 RBIs.

Reaching 50 homers with at least 100 RBIs is rare, but here it’s beyond that. Jayson Stark of The Athletic laid out that it’s rare when we combine his MLB-leading batting average with his RBI total. “Only one player in history has ever won a batting title, gone 50/100, and still not won a Triple Crown. And it’s so rare; it last happened 87 years ago.” Stark noted. This historic 50/100 season without a Triple Crown was last led by MLB legend and Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx in 1938.

It’s very similar to Judge’s 2025 season. He is expected to fall short of Cal Raleigh’s home run total. Interestingly, Foxx had also come up short in the homer department. That season, Hank Greenberg defeated him with 58 home runs.

So, even though Judge is trailing behind the Mariners star’s 118 RBIs and 56 home runs, he will be joining the historic company of players who have reached 50 home runs with at least 100 RBIs, minus the Triple Crown. In the Triple Crown department, Raleigh will also fall short, but that’s what makes Judge’s season iconic. Not to forget, he was able to pull it off after missing the majority of the second half with an injury.