NEW YORK – Awards season is officially underway across Major League Baseball, and the Yankees have already brought home some hardware, with more potentially on deck this week. With captain Aaron Judge leading the charge, the Yankees were selected for the American League’s team Silver Slugger Award, coming after the Bombers paced the Majors in runs scored (849) and home runs (274). |
It’s the second time the Yankees have received the award, which is voted upon by Major League managers and coaches. “I’ve been saying the whole year, this roster is a one-of-a-kind roster,” Jazz Chisholm Jr. said in October. “You’ve got great players on this team, in the bullpen, starting rotation and on the field. So for me, I always believed that this team was the best in the league.” Additionally, the Yankees had two positional winners: Judge, who won as an outfielder for the fifth time; and Chisholm, who was selected as a Silver Slugger Award winner at second base for the first time. |
Judge had another historic season in 2025, winning his first career batting title with a .331 mark while hitting 53 home runs with 114 RBIs and a Major League-leading 1.145 OPS. He also paced the Majors in on-base percentage (.457) and slugging percentage (.688). Mickey Mantle (1956) and Jimmie Foxx (1938) are the only other players in Major League history to hit at least 50 home runs while winning a batting title in the same season. “I’m up there trying to do damage and help the team win,” Judge said in September. “I just think trying to be a good hitter is infectious. It’s contagious. One hit leads to another, and that equals more winning.” It marks back-to-back years with Silver Slugger Awards for Judge, who has won four in the past five seasons and is now tied with Derek Jeter, Robinson Canó, Jorge Posada and Dave Winfield for the most by a Yankee. |
Chisholm posted his first 30-30 season in 2025, belting a career-high 31 homers while stealing 31 bases. He said playing for the Yankees has boosted his career. “The winning mentality, the winning atmosphere – the way everybody from the front office to the training staff wants to win,” Chisholm said. “It’s how I felt like I grew up playing baseball, and what I needed to be around to be even more successful.” Owning a .242/.332/.481 slash line, Chisholm joined Bobby Bonds (1975) and Alfonso Soriano (2002-03) as the only Yanks to register a 30-30 season, also setting career highs in runs scored (75), RBIs (80) and walks (58). “I definitely think 40-40 is very achievable in a full, healthy season,” Chisholm said. |
With left-hander Max Fried also having won an AL Gold Glove Award earlier this offseason, the Yankees will now turn their attention to Thursday’s announcement, when the Baseball Writers’ Association of America will unveil the 2025 AL Most Valuable Player.
It could be a close battle between Judge and Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, with the Guardians’ José Ramírez also a finalist. Judge is seeking his third career MVP Award after having won in 2022 and ’24, with the announcement set to be made at 7 p.m. ET on MLB Network. Judge would certainly welcome the honor if it comes his way, but he made it clear that one trophy matters more. “I can sit there and try to chase numbers, but I’m just trying to do what I can to help our team win as many ballgames as we can and put ourselves in the best position to win the World Series,” Judge said. |
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MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
For the first time, Yankee Stadium played host to deep drives of a different kind this past week, with Upper Deck Golf permitting guests to hit tee shots from the 200 and 300 Level Concourses to custom greens on the field. There was an unexpected interruption, though – the event was halted for five minutes so Gerrit Cole could throw 25 pitches from the bullpen mound. |
Don Mattingly was back in New York this past week to receive the annual Heart of Gold Award from Rawlings on behalf of his Mattingly Charities foundation. “Donnie Baseball” also appeared at the MLB Flagship Store in New York, where he addressed not returning to the Blue Jays’ coaching staff for the 2026 season. Mattingly was asked if he could envision putting the pinstripes back on in a coaching capacity. “I think at this point, I just want to chill and figure out what I want to do. I don't know,” Mattingly said. “You just wake up today, take everything in, try to relax from the season. Again, I’m just trying to see what comes up and what balances the family and work.” Mattingly is also on the Contemporary Era ballot for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, which will be voted upon during the Winter Meetings in December. While Mattingly said he has never campaigned to be in the Hall, he believes his performance presents a solid case. “There’s not really anybody in there that I don’t think I could hit,” Mattingly said. “And if I was on the field with those guys, I feel like I wouldn’t be out of place. And I kind of say it simply like that.” |
• Trent Grisham has a decision to make. The Yankees made the outfielder a qualifying offer, valued at $22.025 million for the 2026 season. He must accept or decline by Nov. 18. More >> • Tim Hill is returning to the Yankees bullpen. The left-hander had his $3 million option picked up for ’26, while Jonathan Loáisiga’s $5 million option was declined. More >> • Cade Smith was named an Arizona Fall League All-Star. MLB Pipeline’s Jesse Borek profiled the right-hander in October. More >> |
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Who hit the most recent walk-off grand slam in Yankees history? A. Josh Donaldson
B. Curtis Granderson
C. Aaron Judge
D. Giancarlo Stanton |
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THIS DATE IN YANKEES HISTORY |
Nov. 10, 1978: The Yankees traded Sparky Lyle, the 1977 AL Cy Young Award winner, to the Rangers as a centerpiece in a 10-player swap that sent Dave Righetti to the Bronx. It also prompted a famous quip from Graig Nettles, who observed that Lyle had gone “from Cy Young to sayonara.” |
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D. Stanton Stanton launched a walk-off grand slam that powered the Yankees to a 9-8 victory over the Pirates on Sept. 20, 2022, capping a ninth-inning comeback that featured Judge’s 60th home run of the season. |
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