Around the Diamond

2006 MVP Awards

Ah the end of season awards.  With the exception of revenue sharing and steroid testing, nothing seems more controversial than the decision making process of who gets the MVP awards.  Does it go to the most prolific hitter in each league or does it go to someone who has more intangibles than they do power stats?  These debates have been going on for years, and everyone….and I do mean everyone, has an opinion. 

Well, as the old adage goes, opinions are like a**holes – everyone’s got one and most of ‘em stink.  So if David Ortiz gets to spout off as to why he deserves the award, well then, so do I.  Contrary to Big Papi’s assertions, I do not believe that the award automatically goes to the guy who hits the most home runs or leads the league in RBI.  If memory serves, MVP actually stands for “Most Valuable Player”; the player who has the most value to his team.  If you remove that player from his respective team, where does that team end up?  Is there a significant difference?  With that said, here’s a look into my rationale as to who should and should not receive the awards this year.

American League:

            Between the two leagues, this year’s choice for AL MVP seems to be the most controversial.  I don’t think I can ever recall a time when a player has lobbied for himself to receive an award only to be ridiculed by the fans and the media for doing so.  And that, my friends, is exactly where David Ortiz lost himself a shot.  But before I get into that, let’s just go through the top candidates; the guys who should be the leading vote getters.  As it stands right now, The AL MVP is coming down to one of 5 players; Boston’s DH David Ortiz, Yankees SS Derek Jeter, White Sox OF Jermaine Dye, and Minnesota’s finest, 1B Justin Morneau and C Joe Mauer.  All five, very worthy candidates.  So let’s break it down a little more and start narrowing our search.

            First of all, with no disrespect to Twins fans in the world, I have to eliminate Mauer and Morneau.  While both are having outstanding seasons, the Twins success is not solely rested on either one of these guys.  It has been a much more collective effort between these stars and the role players surrounding them.  No, the team wouldn’t be where they are without them, but neither is truly outshining the other.  Both are great, but neither is going to get it.  And besides…if no one in the NL is even considering Brian McCann, then how do we legitimately consider Mauer?  Great group effort, guys, but no MVP here.

            So that leaves us with the big 3 and another elimination for me.  Say good night Big Papi.  You’re done.  First of all, the true MVP does not need to lobby for the position.  I’m sure it was more frustration about the tailspin Boston found themselves in, but dogging someone like Jeter to better yourself with the voters is not going to get it done.  Second of all, it’s the “Most Valuable Player” not the “Most Valuable Hitter”.  While the 50+ home runs and a franchise record are great, the bottom line is, he’s only half a player.  I could understand if the Red Sox had some phenomenal first baseman out there keeping him off the field, but they don’t.  Ortiz is not out there because he is a defensive liability.  I won’t deny his prowess at the plate, his clutch hitting, and his power numbers.  But his power stats certainly haven’t been the glue keeping the Sox together this year.  As a matter of fact, he’s been there all year long and they’re still falling apart.  Sorry Papi…no soup for you!!

            Which takes us now to my top two candidates; Jermaine Dye and Derek Jeter.  Dye’s numbers at press time are outstanding:  .317 avg. 43 HR 119 RBI 98 runs and 7 SB.  An amazing year.  He stepped up last year as Chicago won the Series and he’s followed it up with even stronger number this season.  Jeter, on the other hand, has a batting line that reads:  .338-14-95-110-32.  Obviously, the power advantage goes to Dye.  No question.  But let’s look a little further.  Of course his power numbers are better.  He started the season as the #5 hitter behind Jim Thome and Paul Konerko, so he should be an RBI guy.  And when Thome got hurt in the second half, Dye batted third…another power hitter spot.  Jeter is a #2 hitter.  He’s a table setter.  There’s a reason teammate Johnny Damon is second in the AL with 111 runs scored.  Jeter puts him in position for the power guys to bring him home.  He also, with his .413 OBP shows that he just doesn’t sacrifice Damon over.  His at bats are always productive and he brings life to the Yankees lineup.  His fielding?  Just as stellar.  If you haven’t seen his signature move of throwing out a runner at first after spinning around and throwing from his back foot in the hole at short, you’ve missed some amazing plays.  And do I even need to go into the fact that without Jeter, do the Yankees really stay in contention all year with the early season losses of Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui?  Does Alex Rodriguez put the team on his back and carry them through?  Probably not.  This team belongs to Jeter and with the year he has had, on the field, at the plate, on the bases, and in the clubhouse, he’s more than proven his value to the team.  2006 AL MVP:  Derek Jeter 

National League:

            The NL is a little easier to go through than the AL as people are really only talking about two names, Ryan Howard and Albert Pujols.  But dare I say, I’ll throw a third candidate in there, although I don’t see him winning.  Alfonso Soriano anyone?  Last night he became the first player in the history of baseball to go 40-40-40.  That’s right…40 HR-40 SB-40 doubles.  No one else.  He stands alone.  Unfortunately, he also stands alone in Washington.  Regardless of his prowess at the plate, the Nationals aren’t contending, and even with Soriano leading an offensive charge, the team continues to fall short.  And considering his competition for the award, that fact alone is enough to eliminate him from contention.

            So it’s either Pujols or Howard.  Let’s take a look at their batting lines:  Pujols -- .327-46-129-113-6; Howard -- .313-58-143-102-0.  Both pretty crazy sets of numbers.  Now everyone will start talking about Pujols’ injury and his 50 less at bats than Howard, but that’s all it really is…talk.  Both are outstanding hitters.  Both are feared by NL pitching.  If you miss some time with a strained oblique, well then that’s too bad.  You can’t play a game of “what if’s” here.  It’s what we have in front of us.  The power advantage goes to Howard. 

            But again, I don’t subscribe to Ortiz’ philosophy that the best power hitter wins the award, so let’s look a little further.  Pujols has been a huge part of St. Louis’ success, but he definitely wasn’t alone.  A Cy Young candidate in Chris Carpenter, all star closer Jason Isringhausen, and the stellar performances of guys like Scott Rolen and David Eckstein allowed manager Tony LaRussa to keep his Cardinals on top even in Pujols’ absence early on. That’s not to diminish the value of Pujols to the team, but more of an example of a great all around team effort.

            For Howard, it was a little different.  After winning the NL Rookie of the Year award last season, the pressure was on the youngster to produce even more this year.  And produce, he did.  While Phillies’ fans everywhere were dogging Bobby Abreu for his lack of power, Howard kept everyone happy as he launched monster shot after monster shot.  When the team traded Abreu to the Yankees at the deadline, everyone thought the Phillies were finished.  They were tanking the season.  But not as long as Howard had anything to say about it.  With the help of Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley setting the table, Howard was able to keep the Phillies in every chance he could.  While playing a solid first base and continued bombs into the upper decks of the outfield, Howard has put his team into a tie for the NL wild card and should also vault them over the competition and into the playoffs.  His power, his fielding and his “lead by example” clubhouse presence has made him indispensable in Philadelphia.  As great as Pujols is, Howard, in my opinion is better.  2006 NL MVP:  Ryan Howard 

Just a week left to go in the baseball season.  If you’re still looking for some daily updates and to maybe a pickup here or there for your final push, check out what’s going on over at RotoBuzz.

Finished with baseball?  Is fantasy football taking up all your time now?  Well, for the inside scoop, check out RotoBuzz – Fantasy Football and see how we can help bring you to another championship.

Howard Bender is a freelance fantasy sports writer and current 2005 Fantasy Baseball champion.  For questions, thoughts, or comments, you can write to him at hbender26@yahoo.com.