Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh and Dan Wilson Named MLB Award Finalists
The Seattle Mariners are having a big week, with two of their players and a manager in the running for prestigious MLB awards. Catcher Cal Raleigh and manager Dan Wilson have been named finalists for the American League (AL) MVP and AL Manager of the Year awards, respectively.
The MLB Network announced the finalists on Monday, with Raleigh up against New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge and Cleveland Guardians third baseman José Ramírez for the MVP title. This is a highly anticipated showdown, as Raleigh's record-breaking season has put him in the spotlight.
Raleigh's 2024 season was historic, helping the Mariners secure their first AL West title in 24 years. He became the seventh player in MLB history to hit 60 home runs, breaking records for switch-hitters and catchers. His performance included hitting 20 home runs from both sides of the plate, a feat no one had achieved before. With a .247/.359/.589 slash line and an AL-leading 125 RBIs, Raleigh's impact on the field was undeniable.
His 9.1 Wins Above Replacement (fWAR) was the second-highest in the AL, just behind Judge's 10.1. However, the MVP race is intense, with Judge leading in most offensive categories, despite Raleigh's exceptional defensive skills as a catcher.
Manager Dan Wilson, who took over in late August 2024, led the team to a 21-13 record in their final 34 games. This season, the Mariners finished with a 90-72 record, and Wilson became the first manager in the club's history to take the team to the postseason or win a division title in his first full season. He is now in the running for the AL Manager of the Year award, competing against Stephen Vogt and John Schneider.
The MVP and Manager of the Year awards are voted on by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, and the winners will be announced on November 13 at 3 p.m. on MLB Network. The Mariners' success this season has put them in the spotlight, and the awards could further solidify their place in baseball history.
