Call to the pen
Fansided

Former Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia unveils shirt for MVP race

By David Hill

Aug 20, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Former Cleveland Indians pitcher C.C. Sabathia acknowledges the crowd before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Indians and the Los Angeles Angels at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Former Cleveland Indians pitcher C.C. Sabathia acknowledges the crowd before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Indians and the Los Angeles Angels at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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It is becoming more likely that New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge will be the 2022 American League MVP.

He is in a race for the ages. Judge and his 60 homers are battling another stellar year from Angels’ two way star Shohei Ohtani, the defending AL MVP who may be having a better all around season than he did last year.

Yankees slugger Aaron Judge has a convert in CC Sabathia

Ohtani has three things going against him. First, there is a bit Ohtani fatigue, as is the case with every reigning MVP. His accomplishments as a two way player are astounding, but people are always looking for something new. Greatness can be overlooked in its consistency. Second, Judge has reached the 60 homer threshold, something that only five other players in major league history have done.

Third, the Yankees are likely not in the postseason without Judge. His ability to carry the lineup has to be factored into the conversation as they have needed virtually every one of those homers. That argument even resulted in a shirt that CC Sabathia wore as he displayed a caveat to his coming around on Judge’s candidacy.

There is a great deal of truth to be found in that shirt. Judge may well be the most valuable player, especially in terms of dragging his team to the postseason, but there is no questioning Ohtani’s talent level. His ability to star at the plate and on he mound will ensure that he remains in the conversation year after year.

Being the best player in the league does not always mean being the most valuable. If it did, Mike Trout would have won the MVP award for years despite the Angels inability to reach the postseason. Judge did something that neither Trout nor Ohtani have been able to do in nearly a decade – take a mediocre team and bring it to the playoffs. And that is what makes Judge the MVP.

dark. Next. A look back at the 60 home run club

New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is beginning to pull away in the AL MVP race. As CC Sabathia noted, MVP does not mean ‘best’ player.

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