When Cal Raleigh wins the AL MVP, Aaron Judge will become baseball history's great enigma

Last week, as the garbage truck ambled down our street, I thought I heard one of the trash collectors make a snide remark about Charlie Kirk. Rest assured, I'm still working to get him fired.  

Which brings me to last night: Whenever Aaron Judge approached the plate, a few YINOs - (Yankfans In Name Only) - failed to chant "M-V-P... M-V-P..." I trust they've been deported. 

That's because the fix is in. You can feel it. Next month, Judge will finish 2nd in the American League MVP balloting, as Gammonites nationwide bestow that hallowed trophy upon Cal Raleigh of Seattle. 

And, honestly, Raleigh is having a moment, perhaps the greatest-ever season for a catcher. He might even beat Judge's single-season HR record, of 62. We cannot begrudge his MVP street cred.

But when that happens, Judge will have produced the greatest season in history that failed to win the MVP. Statistically, he beats Raleigh in every category except HRs and RBIs. Judge will win the batting crown by 20 points. He will take the OPS by about 60. He leads in runs. He leads in walks. He has already set an all-time seasonal record for intentional walks. Had he not missed three weeks with a tweaked elbow, Judge would be on a course for 55-57 HRs - even more, if he had avoided a slump after returning from his injury.  

Listen: I get it that Raleigh deserves some trophies. And like an opinionated garbage hauler, I should STFU.

But that's not how I roll. 

Nope. It's still a free country. Sorta. 

I say, when it comes to awards, wearing pinstripes is often - like appearing in a movie with Jerry Lewis - more a detriment than advantage. The Gammonites rationale goes like this: Yankee players get too much attention, so let's back whatever small market joboes who are in the mix. The Raleigh rally has begun, and come ESPN's red carpet Oscars wannabee ceremonies, Judge will be lucky to go home with the door prize flower arrangement. That's all. Is there a Mr. Congeniality award? He'll win that.

But but BUT... this October, a final judgment will play out. 

Over the years, Judge has crashed into one consistent Waterloo: The postseason. Over 7 years and 15 October series, he is batting a disastrous .205. Worse, it happened in moment after moment, crisis after crisis, as Judge floundered in the middle of the Yankee lineup. 

Last year, his botched fly - bouncing inexplicably off his glove in CF - opened the floodgates to a fiasco that still roils our guts. 

If Judge can deliver this October, he will erase a scent that lingers from his past playoff ghostings. And nobody will care who won the MVP. 

He needs to lead the Yankees and end the garbage.