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Published

3 years ago

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7:46 PM ET

Aaron Judge etched a permanent spot in the memories of baseball fans when he set the American League single-season home run record and chased a Triple Crown down the stretch for the New York Yankees. Now, he has a final accolade to top his historic 2022.

The slugger was crowned AL Most Valuable Player on Thursday night, beating out Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels and Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros. He is the first outfielder for the Yankees to win the award since Mickey Mantle in 1962.

Judge received 28 first-place votes and 410 points, edging Ohtani (280) by 130 points. Ohtani was the only other player to receive first-place votes, with two. Alvarez had 232 points to finish third.

“It’s tough to put in words,” Judge said on MLB Network. “It’s an incredible moment. A lot of hard work to get to this.”

Judge said he felt extremely nervous leading up to the announcement.

“You never want to assume anything,” he said.

Judge led the AL in a host of offensive categories, including home runs (62), RBIs (131), slugging percentage (.686), on-base percentage (.425), OPS+ (211) and total bases (391). He previously finished as a runner-up for AL MVP in 2017, when he was the unanimous AL Rookie of the Year.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman released a statement after the announcement congratulating Judge.

“Aaron’s success was especially meaningful for our organization as we’ve been able to watch him grow throughout his professional career into the player and leader he has become — an offensive force in the batter’s box, a run preventer wherever we’ve put him on the field and someone who sets the tone in the clubhouse with his relentless commitment to winning,” Cashman said. “He has been our MVP for quite some time now.”

Judge became just the fourth major leaguer to hit more than 62 homers in a single season, joining Barry Bonds (73 in 2001), Mark McGwire (70 in 1998, 65 in 1999) and Sammy Sosa (66 in 1998, 63 in 1999). He fell just five points shy (.311) of Minnesota Twins infielder Luis Arraez for the batting title, which would have completed the Triple Crown.

“I’m grateful that I got to witness it first-hand and share in his magical year, especially given how much I respect I have for him as a player and as a person,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said in a statement. “I hope he can reflect on his extraordinary individual accomplishments and the impact he had on his teammates every single day and use them as fuel for continued excellence in the years to come.”

The MVP honor caps a season that started with tumult around contract negotiations with the Yankees as he entered the final year of his deal. Judge set a self-imposed deadline of Opening Day to negotiate a potential extension, but the sides failed to come to an agreement. Cashman then took an unusual step in publicly revealing the terms of the contract the team offered Judge — an eight-year, $230.5 million extension. Judge turned down the offer, expecting greater things if he hit the free agent market after this season.

When asked about free agency, Judge said his top priority is winning.

“For me, I want to win,” Judge said. “I’ve come pretty close with the Yankees … My ultimate, most important thing is I want to be on a team with a winning culture and a commitment to winning. First and foremost, it’s a winning culture and a winning future.”

The season started relatively slowly for Judge, as he hit six homers in 75 at-bats in April. But once the calendar turned to May, Judge took off. The outfielder hit 12 homers that month, 11 in June, 13 in July, nine in August and 10 in September before hitting No. 62 on the final day of the regular season in October. The 157 games Judge played during 2022 were his most since his rookie season, the previous best year of his career by bWAR (8.1).

Judge’s consistency from month to month served as the backbone for a New York offense that at points struggled to stay healthy and produce around him. By the end of the season, it ranked second behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in baseball, scoring 807 runs.

As Judge approached Roger Maris’ AL record of 61 homers, each of his at-bats became an event. At games both at Yankee Stadium and on the road, fans stood up every time he stepped into the batter’s box and remained standing for every single pitch. Members of the Yankees jostled for spots on the top step of the dugout to get a spot to watch their teammate potentially make history.

Judge hit the record-tying 61st home run on Sept. 28, taking Toronto Blue Jays reliever Tim Mayza deep in the seventh inning in game No. 155 for the Yankees. The history-making homer ended a seven-game home run drought.

No. 62 did not come until Oct. 4, in the second-to-last game of the Yankees’ season. The record-breaker came off Texas Rangers pitcher Jesus Tinoco, a leadoff shot to left field.

While Judge put together a regular season for the record book, he came up short during the postseason, hitting his worst stretch of the season as the Yankees played the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Division Series and the Astros in the AL Championship Series. In nine games, Judge hit .139/.184/.306 with two homers among five hits in nine games. The eventual World Series champion Astros ended the Yankees’ season with a four-game sweep in the ALCS.

Judge now hits the free agent market prepared to get one of the biggest contracts of the offseason. Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner has said publicly that he wants Judge to be in pinstripes for the rest of his career.

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Phils’ Turner, NL hits leader, injures hamstring

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2 hours ago

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September 7, 2025

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Phils' Turner, NL hits leader, injures hamstring

  • Associated Press

Sep 7, 2025, 04:10 PM ET

MIAMI — Philadelphia Phillies star shortstop Trea Turner left the team’s game against the Miami Marlins in the seventh inning Sunday because of a right hamstring strain.

Turner hit a solo homer in the sixth to narrow Philadelphia’s deficit to 4-2. When his turn came again in the seventh, Turner legged out a grounder and reached on a throwing error by Miami Otto Lopez.

Edmundo Sosa replaced Turner as the baserunner and at shortstop.

The 32-year-old Turner leads the NL in batting average at .305 and also has a league-leading 179 hits this season.

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Bichette out for Yanks finale after plate collision

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2 hours ago

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September 7, 2025

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Bichette out for Yanks finale after plate collision

  • Associated Press

Sep 7, 2025, 12:38 PM ET

NEW YORK — Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette was not in the lineup for Sunday’s series finale against the Yankees a day after colliding with Austin Wells on a play at the plate.

Bichette was thrown out in the sixth inning of Saturday’s 3-1 loss by Cody Bellinger‘s 95.3 mph one-hop throw from right field when he attempted to score on a single by Nathan Lukes.

He hobbled off the field with the assistance of a trainer after colliding with Wells’ shin guard. The game was delayed by rain for nearly two hours, and during the delay, X-rays came back negative. Bichette struck out in his final at-bat Saturday.

“It didn’t look great, but we’re at the point where if you can play, you can play,” manager John Schneider said Saturday. “Bo understands that, and everyone understands that. I don’t think it needed stitches or anything, but there was a lot going on.”

Bichette is third in the major leagues with a .311 average. He has 18 homers and leads Toronto with 93 RBIs in 139 games this season.

He also leads the majors with 181 hits and 44 doubles and is hitting .418 (33-for-79) during a 20-game on-base streak.

Ernie Clement started at shortstop for the Blue Jays, who began Sunday with a three-game lead over the Yankees in the American League East.

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AP Week 2 poll reaction: What’s next for each Top 25 team

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3 hours ago

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September 7, 2025

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AP Week 2 poll reaction: What's next for each Top 25 team

Sep 7, 2025, 02:26 PM ET

The latest AP poll is out. After a dramatic first week of action, not much changed at the top of the rankings with most teams pulling out wins, but there was still quite a bit of movement throughout.

And we did see some upsets and impressive wins with four ranked teams (the Arizona State Sun Devils, Florida Gators, Michigan Wolverines and SMU Mustangs) all losing — Florida, SMU and ASU are no longer ranked as a result.

The top seven schools in the rankings, on the other hand, outscored their opponents by a combined 307-26. In all, four AP-ranked teams scored 70 or more points, the second time that has happened in the AP poll era (since 1936).

Stats courtesy of ESPN Research.

All times Eastern

Previous ranking: 1

2025 record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Defeated Grambling 70-0

Stat to know: Julian Sayin completed his first 16 passes to start the game. It’s the longest streak to begin a game in school history.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Ohio, 7 p.m., Peacock

Previous ranking: 2

2025 record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Defeated FIU 34-0

Stat to know: This was Penn State’s 13th shutout since 2014, the second most in that span behind Alabama’s 15.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Villanova, 3:30 p.m., FS1

Previous ranking: 3

2025 record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Defeated Louisiana Tech 23-7

Stat to know: LSU has not lost a home game to an in-state opponent since 1982.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Florida, 7:30 p.m., ABC

Previous ranking: 6

2025 record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Defeated Oklahoma State 69-3

Stat to know: The 66-point win is Oregon’s largest win against an FBS opponent since 2019 against Nevada (won by 71 points).

What’s next: Saturday at Northwestern, noon, Fox

Previous ranking: 5

2025 record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Defeated Bethune-Cookman 45-3

Stat to know: Carson Beck completed his first 15 passes in Week 2. He passed Vinny Testaverde (1986, against Oklahoma) for the most consecutive completions within a game in Miami history.

What’s next: Saturday vs. South Florida, 4:30 p.m., CW Network

Previous ranking: 4

2025 record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Defeated Austin Peay 28-6

Stat to know: The 22-point win is the narrowest margin of victory by a top-five SEC team against a non-FBS opponent since 2012.

What’s next: Saturday at Tennessee, 3:30 p.m., ABC

Previous ranking: 7

2025 record: 1-1

Week 2 result: Defeated San Jose State 38-7

Stat to know: Arch Manning joined Vince Young, Colt McCoy and David Ash by throwing multiple touchdown passes of more than 20 yards and having a TD run over 20 yards in multiple games.

What’s next: Saturday vs. UTEP, 4:15 p.m., SEC Network

Previous ranking: 9

2025 record: 0-1

Week 2 result: Idle

What’s next: Saturday vs. Texas A&M, 7:30 p.m., NBC

Previous ranking: 11

2025 record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Defeated Duke 45-19

Stat to know: After scoring 52 points against Western Illinois last week, the Illini have scored 45 points in consecutive games for the first time in the past 20 seasons.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Western Michigan, 7 p.m., FS1

Previous ranking: 14

2025 record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Defeated East Texas A&M 77-3

Stat to know: FSU had 729 total yards, the most by the Seminoles since Nov. 4, 2000.

What’s next: Sept. 20 vs. Kent State

Previous ranking: 10

2025 record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Defeated South Carolina State 38-10

Stat to know: Vicari Swain recorded two punt returns for touchdowns against South Carolina State, making that three for the season (and he has done it in just six quarters).

What’s next: Saturday vs. Vanderbilt, 7:45 p.m., SEC Network

Previous ranking: 8

2025 record: 1-1

Week 2 result: Defeated Troy 27-16

Stat to know: Clemson trailed 16-0 before scoring the final 27 points of the game. That is the largest comeback win for Clemson since 2020 against Boston College.

What’s next: Saturday at Georgia Tech, noon, ESPN

Previous ranking: 18

2025 record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Defeated Michigan 24-13

Stat to know: OU has not allowed a point in the first half of consecutive games for the first time since 2009.

What’s next: Saturday at Temple, noon, ESPN2

Previous ranking: 16

2025 record: 3-0

Week 2 result: Defeated Iowa 16-13

Stat to know: Iowa State won at home in this series for the first time since 2011.

What’s next: Saturday at Arkansas State, 4 p.m., ESPN2

Previous ranking: 22

2025 record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Defeated East Tennessee State 72-17

Stat to know: The 72 points are the Volunteers’ most points scored in a game in the AP poll era (1936).

What’s next: Saturday vs. Georgia, 3:30 p.m., ABC

Previous ranking: 19

2025 record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Defeated Utah State 44-22

Stat to know: Marcel Reed has thrown three touchdown passes in three consecutive games. It’s the second-longest streak at A&M since 2004.

What’s next: Saturday at Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m., NBC

Previous ranking: 20

2025 record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Defeated Kentucky 30-23

Stat to know: This was Ole Miss’ fourth win when trailing by 10 or more points in the Lane Kiffin era.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Arkansas, 7 p.m., ESPN

Previous ranking: NR

2025 record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Defeated Florida 18-16

Stat to know: USF is the fourth team in the AP poll era (since 1936) to win its first two games of a season against AP-ranked opponents while being unranked in each win, joining 2012 Oregon State, 2008 East Carolina and 1976 North Carolina.

What’s next: Saturday at Miami, 4:30 p.m., CW

Previous ranking: 21

2025 record: 1-1

Week 2 result: Defeated UL Monroe 73-0

Stat to know: Ty Simpson finished 17-of-17, the most completions without an incompletion in a game in SEC history. It is also the most consecutive completions within a game in Alabama history.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Wisconsin, noon, ABC

Previous ranking: 25

2025 record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Defeated Cal Poly 63-9

Stat to know: After Jackson Bennee returned an interception 46 yards for a score, it extended Utah’s streak of returning at least one interception for a touchdown to 22 straight seasons.

What’s next: Saturday at Wyoming, 8 p.m., CBSSN

Previous ranking: 24

2025 record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Defeated Kent State 62-14

Stat to know: Texas Tech has outscored its opponents by 108 points this season, its second most through the first two games of a season in the AP poll era (since 1936).

What’s next: Saturday vs. Oregon State, 3:30 p.m., Fox

Previous ranking: 23

2025 record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Defeated Kennesaw State 56-9

Stat to know: Indiana improves to 11-0 against Conference USA teams all-time, the fourth-most wins without a loss against the conference.

What’s next: Friday vs. Indiana State, 6:30 p.m., BTN

Previous ranking: 15

2025 record: 1-1

Week 2 result: Lost to Oklahoma 24-13

Stat to know: Justice Haynes‘ four rushing scores this season are the most by a Michigan player in his first two games with the school in the past 30 seasons.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Central Michigan, noon, BTN

Previous ranking: NR

2025 record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Defeated Ball State 42-3

Stat to know: Auburn’s six sacks are its most in a game since sacking Alabama (all Bryce Young) seven times in November 2021.

What’s next: Saturday vs. South Alabama, 12:45 p.m., SEC Network

Previous ranking: NR

2025 record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Defeated Kansas 42-31

Stat to know: Missouri trailed by 15 points. This is its largest comeback win since 2016 vs. Arkansas.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Louisiana, 4 p.m. on SECN+

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