2025 MLB Season

[Shaka Shart]

Crazy that a guy might win an MVP after batting under .200 for two straight months. But I think I'd vote for him right now.

They don't call him MVPCA for nothing (JK he isn't winning MVP)

[Billy Hoyle]

As a Yankee fan if the Yanks win their division the nod would go to Judge, if not it might be a toss up but I would lean Raleigh.

how is that a tiebreaker considering the Mariners won their division? Judge's WAR is slightly above Raleigh and has him significantly in BA but Raleigh bests him in HR and RBI.

[MU82]

To not check the box next to Raleigh's name, an MVP voter would have to eliminate the catching aspect - Raleigh's Gold Glove work as a defensive player, and his work as pitch-caller and pitch-framer for one of MLB's best pitching staffs. And one would have to ignore how difficult it is to maintain his offensive production in the face of the daily wear-and-tear that a catcher faces.

As I said, Judge has exemplary regular and advanced stats, and he would be a deserving choice. He had been a plus-defender in right field, too. But that's an "unimportant" position, relatively speaking, and then he got hurt and has been DH for a third of the season.

So for Most VALUable Player, do voters VALUE how players compare in 50% of the game, the defensive side? Lately, they haven't given a rat's rump about anything but WAR and OPS+, which is why I'd still put Judge as the favorite when the vote is tallied.

I do want Raleigh to win, so admittedly that probably removes some of the objectivity for me.

[Shaka Shart]

To not check the box next to Raleigh's name, an MVP voter would have to eliminate the catching aspect - Raleigh's Gold Glove work as a defensive player, and his work as pitch-caller and pitch-framer for one of MLB's best pitching staffs. And one would have to ignore how difficult it is to maintain his offensive production in the face of the daily wear-and-tear that a catcher faces.

As I said, Judge has exemplary regular and advanced stats, and he would be a deserving choice. He had been a plus-defender in right field, too. But that's an "unimportant" position, relatively speaking, and then he got hurt and has been DH for a third of the season.

So for Most VALUable Player, do voters VALUE how players compare in 50% of the game, the defensive side? Lately, they haven't given a rat's rump about anything but WAR and OPS+, which is why I'd still put Judge as the favorite when the vote is tallied.

I do want Raleigh to win, so admittedly that probably removes some of the objectivity for me.

It helps to play right field where he can touch the infield if he really spreads his arms wide

[Shaka Shart]

It helps to play right field where he can touch the infield if he really spreads his arms wide

To be clear, this is a s*** post and I am not ignorant of Judge being quite a good outfielder

[Jockey]

It's over. Raleigh is winning it.

[GB Warrior]

It helps to play right field where he can touch the infield if he really spreads his arms wide

Also helps he's 3 times the height of the wall in RF at Yankee Stadium

[GB Warrior]

They don't call him MVPCA for nothing (JK he isn't winning MVP)

Most volatile player

[muwarrior69]

how is that a tiebreaker considering the Mariners won their division? Judge's WAR is slightly above Raleigh and has him significantly in BA but Raleigh bests him in HR and RBI.

Big Market Bias and I am a Yankee fan..

[MU82]

Hey! Look who finally won a game!

After all the misery, the Tigers could still win the division.

[tower912]

Now they are shipping off to Boston.  I hope they can find their playoff legs. (Oh-oh-oh)

[MU82]

From The Athletic:

A Seattle Mariners fan snagged Cal Raleigh's 60th home run ball Wednesday night at T-Mobile Park and did what might be unthinkable. The man simply gave away the ball — potentially worth six figures on the open market — to a child near him in the right field stands.

It was a far cry from the Phillies fan who took a home run ball away from a child earlier this month.

The boy who ended up with the baseball and his father were then taken away by security to have the ball authenticated. Mariners media relations told The Athletic that the boy traded the ball for a bat signed by Raleigh and has been invited to attend batting practice on the field at a future game.

But the Mariners are also hunting for the man who awarded the ball to the child. Social media posts quickly popped up expressing appreciation for the man. So much so that the Mariners have made a public plea to find the unidentified man.

UPDATE: The Mariners found their man ahead of Thursday's game. The fan, Glenn Mutti-Driscoll, was able to meet with Raleigh on the field and get a signed bat with a special inscription: "Glenn, Thanks for being a good guy & nice catch!" Raleigh even signed the bat along with his "Big Dumper" nickname.

[Billy Hoyle]

From The Athletic:

A Seattle Mariners fan snagged Cal Raleigh's 60th home run ball Wednesday night at T-Mobile Park and did what might be unthinkable. The man simply gave away the ball — potentially worth six figures on the open market — to a child near him in the right field stands.

It was a far cry from the Phillies fan who took a home run ball away from a child earlier this month.

The boy who ended up with the baseball and his father were then taken away by security to have the ball authenticated. Mariners media relations told The Athletic that the boy traded the ball for a bat signed by Raleigh and has been invited to attend batting practice on the field at a future game.

But the Mariners are also hunting for the man who awarded the ball to the child. Social media posts quickly popped up expressing appreciation for the man. So much so that the Mariners have made a public plea to find the unidentified man.

UPDATE: The Mariners found their man ahead of Thursday's game. The fan, Glenn Mutti-Driscoll, was able to meet with Raleigh on the field and get a signed bat with a special inscription: "Glenn, Thanks for being a good guy & nice catch!" Raleigh even signed the bat along with his "Big Dumper" nickname.

and that's not even the best thing Raleigh did. Check out the shirt he was rocking in the pics. Give the man the MVP now!

https://x.com/Mariners/status/1971383757170184263

[MU82]

I admit I would have kept the ball, cashed in, and used the $$$ for my grandkids' college fund.

But sure, getting a signed bat and a pat on the back is nice, too.

[Shaka Shart]

and that's not even the best thing Raleigh did. Check out the shirt he was rocking in the pics. Give the man the MVP now!

https://x.com/Mariners/status/1971383757170184263

How many people who don't follow the game would have correctly picked out who the baseball player was vs the fan

[Billy Hoyle]

I admit I would have kept the ball, cashed in, and used the $$$ for my grandkids' college fund.

But sure, getting a signed bat and a pat on the back is nice, too.

did you see the story about the guy who caught Mike Trout's 400th HR ball and all he asked for was some memorabilia and to play catch with Trout? Very cool.

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/mike-trouts-400th-hr-ball-194500642.html

[MU82]

did you see the story about the guy who caught Mike Trout's 400th HR ball and all he asked for was some memorabilia and to play catch with Trout? Very cool.

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/mike-trouts-400th-hr-ball-194500642.html

I obviously support folks doing whatever they want to do with the souvenirs they catch, so sure, very cool.

But some of these baseballs could fetch enough money to change the lives of the people who catch them, or of their families. I applaud them for using their good fortune in that way, too.

To me, the only "wrong" answer is when one says a person is "bad" for not automatically handing a million-dollar prize to a millionaire in exchange for a handshake or an autographed bat.

[Jockey]

Now they are shipping off to Boston.  I hope they can find their playoff legs. (Oh-oh-oh)

How much blame is Hinch getting in this collapse? Methinks any manager who plays Javy as much as he does should be fired pronto.

[tower912]

How much blame is Hinch getting in this collapse? Methinks any manager who plays Javy as much as he does should be fired pronto.

Almost none.  Harris is getting more heat for the deals that did and didn't happen at the trade deadline.  For example, you cited Javy.  The options at short are Javy, Sweeney, and McKinstry.   ZMac is almost as bad as Javy since the all star break and Sweeney isn't hitting his weight. 

Bottom line is that the team hasn't hit or pitched since the all star break.   The pile of journeyman arms they acquired in late July were not positive difference makers. 

About 1% of Tiger fans blame Hinch. Blame is assigned to Harris and the players.

[MU82]

Funny line in The Athletic's Pulse e-newsletter item about the collapses of the Mets, Tigers and Astros:

The Mets play their last two games in Miami, the Tigers are in Boston and the Astros are at the Angels. Who said Mike Trout would never play in meaningful games in Anaheim in September?

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Funny line in The Athletic's Pulse e-newsletter item about the collapses of the Mets, Tigers and Astros:

The Mets play their last two games in Miami, the Tigers are in Boston and the Astros are at the Angels. Who said Mike Trout would never play in meaningful games in Anaheim in September?

I was in Southern California on customer visits this week and went to the Angels game on Wednesday evening.  It was Mike Trout night and they were celebrating his 400th career home run that he hit last Saturday with a poster giveaway.  And Mike Trout was not playing in the game!?

Nothing like paying $29 for a ticket 5 rows from the field near first base.

[MU82]

I'm just surprised Trout isn't the MVP frontrunner for once again leading the Angels to glory.

[BM1090]

Have to think Detroit can get one of two against a team that's locked into their spot.

[TallTitan34]

Cade Horton 15-day DL with fractured rib.

Can return for game 5 of NLDS should they get that far.

[PointWarrior]

Miz reliever experiment did not go well.  Assume that's the last we seen of him.  At least he made the All-Star game and HoF exhibit.