Speaking on MLB Network on Thursday, former major league All-Star Sean Casey said that he would not pick Seattle Mariners star Cal Raleigh for the American League MVP, despite the historic season that he had in 2025.

Casey said that he would give the MVP Award to Aaron Judge, who has already won it twice.

"He (Raleigh) has got more to worry about with the (pitching) staff. I get it, but Aaron Judge, let's not look past his greatness and how great he is, and that he had another generational-type season with the numbers that he put up.... First season in MLB History with only one player with a .315-plus average. One player, and he (Judge) hit .331, which nowadays is like hitting .370."

While there are several others who want to give the MVP Award to Judge also, it should be noted once again just how special Raleigh's year was.

As a catcher, and as a switch-hitter, he did things that have never been seen before. His 60 home runs are the most ever by a switch-hitter, surpassing the previous record of 54. When he hit his 49th homer, he broke the record for a catcher in a single-season. When he hit homer No. 58, he broke the M's team record that had previously been held by Ken Griffey Jr.

He also did all that while catching 121 games and never having a passed ball all season. 

As noted by Casey, Judge won a batting title by hitting .331 in 152 games. His on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS and OPS+ all led baseball as well. He won the MVP in both 2022 and 2024 and is looking for his third in four years.

From the Oct. 23 episode of the 'Refuse to Lose' podcast:

A catcher hitting 60 home runs in a season? It's never happened. A switch-hitter hitting 60 home runs in a season? it's never happened. A Mariner hitting 60 home runs in a season? It's never happened. We got to see Cal Raleigh go from local hero to national superstar. That doesn't happen for Seattle Mariners players not named Griffey, A-Rod, Ichiro, and Felix. We don't get to see that. That doesn't happen to us. It happened this year for Cal Raleigh.

I've also multiple times on other episodes that I believe Raleigh deserves the award based on the word "value." If it's truly seen as the most "valuable" player, then I think Raleigh deserves it. If it's seen as "best" player, then Judge has a case.

Evidently, Casey does not agree. The award will come out on Nov. 13.

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