Congratulations and thanks to all our Members of the 300 Club on a wonderful 75th year! For 2025, the Germain Glidden Bowl goes to Andy Bader, whose picks batted .297 in a terrible year for averages. We look forward to next year � just like the Mets and Astros.
Catchers endure relentless abuse. They must direct their pitchers, outfox opposing batters, coax strikes from umpires, and, in their bulky gear, throw out base stealers and lunge at foul pops. The Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh, seen above belting his 60th homer September 24 in the bottom of the 8th off Rockies RHP Angel Chivilli, caught a major-league high 120 games this season. He's a switch-hitter who must maintain two precisely calibrated swings. This year he became only the 7th player, and the first catcher and switch-hitter ever, to hit 60 home runs. He also won the AL RBI title with 125, and led his team to a first-round bye atop the AL West. It says here Cal Raleigh's the AL MVP for 2025, edging out the incomparable Yankee, Aaron Judge.
(AP Photo/Ryan Sun)