“Holy cow, that’s a tough call. I’m actually glad I don’t have a vote,” commented one NL executive when asked to choose between Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh for the AL MVP. This year’s AL MVP race is more gripping than usual. So much so that many are predicting that the votes will split equally, making it the first tie in MLB history since 1979, when Willie Stargell and Keith Hernandez shared the National League title.

Recently, MLB.com polled some front office execs on whether they would vote for Judge or Raleigh. The outcome, let’s just say, reiterated just how close this year’s race is predicted to be. As per the poll results, Raleigh slightly edges Judge by 7-6. It was a one-vote split with a tie. Aaron Judge looked the overwhelming favorite for the crown until an elbow injury he suffered in July made it an even contest.

Despite this, for many execs, Judge is still the best player in the league. “Judge has been the best player,” one exec said.  “If there was a pickup baseball game in the park and I have the first pick, I’m taking him.” One look at his stats proves that this isn’t just a blind throw in the dark. The Yankees star leads all the hitters in every slash category, hitting .329/.453/.679, while also leading the league in runs scored (127), walks (114), total bases (344), and OPS+ (211). He also tops the list in both bWAR (8.6) and fWAR (9.0).

On the other hand, Raleigh’s bWAR is 6.7, and his fWAR is 8.4, which is only behind Judge. Despite this, Raleigh, too, has received backing from certain quarters. One AL exec, who voted for Raleigh, said, “I just think the competitive advantage of a catcher producing at that elite level is so big. Plus, he’s a great defender, and he catches maybe the best stuff in the game.” The Mariners star is leading the league with 56 home runs and 118 RBIs. Raleigh was recently tied with Ken Griffey Jr. for the Mariners’ single-season mark.

Meanwhile, as the MVP debate rages on, Cal Raleigh has quietly broken another huge record.

Cal Raleigh’s chase for another massive record deserves equal attention

Earlier this week, against the Kansas City Royals, Cal Raleigh hit two home runs that marked the 10th time this season he has had multiple homers in a single game. The 28-year-old is now only one more multi-homer game away from tying the MLB single-season record of 11. It’s currently shared by Aaron Judge, back in 2022, Sammy Sosa in 1998, and Hank Greenberg in 1938.

With just a few games left in this season, it’s a possibility that he could tie this historic record. Until now, Raleigh has had four multi-home run games at Seattle and six on the road. Well, Daikin Park is one of the most hitter-friendly parks, and with the remaining games, three are to be played on the road. So, it could be a factor that could influence the outcome.

If he manages to break this record, it will be one of many he has to his name this season. For context, this season, he became the first catcher and switch-hitter in MLB history to reach 30 home runs in the first half. There might be only a few games left now, but Raleigh could still add some wild records to his name.