Raleigh the best baseball story of 2025

- By Bruce Penton

August 25, 2025

key points from this story:

• Cal Raleigh tops MLB stories for 2025
• Shohei Ohtani dominates as best player
• Blue Jays, Brewers enjoy record win streaks
• Jen Pawol becomes first MLB female umpire
• Nick Kurtz delivers remarkable rookie performance
• Crow-Armstrong rises as fan favorite in Chicago

We’ll worry about playoff teams and who will contend for the World Series as late September and October nears, but for now, here’s a look at six of the best Major League Baseball stories of 2025.

Six. Just in case an argument breaks out, here's the truth: Shohei Ohtani is still the best player in baseball. Through the middle of August, the man thy call Showtime had belted 43 home runs, led the league in four or five categories, including OPS and slugging. And, oh yes, he’s back pitching after a year away from the mound, with 25 strikeouts in 19 innings as the Dodgers are easing their ace into full-time mound duty.

Five. Red-hot teams — Toronto Blue Jays shocked the baseball world in June and July by winning 24 of 28 games and vaulting into first place in the A.L. East, practically guaranteeing them a playoff spot. But lately, Milwaukee Brewers have held the hottest hand, putting together two streaks of 10 or more consecutive victories. It’s the first time a team has accomplished that in six years.