The Post, Post Season

Baseball Award season is upon us now that the important things are behind us. Sometimes I think the only reason they give out these awards is so the player’s agents can ask for more money. Honestly with the unbalanced schedule and inter-league play it makes judging how awesome a player is a bit inconsistent. I mean Albert Pujols plays a lot of games against Pittsburgh and Houston while never facing two of the best pitchers of the year because they were on his team (Carpenter and Wainwright). These Awards are also popularity contests unfortunately as we can see with the gushing that happens when you mention Minnesota’s Joe Mauer; yes he had a good year and plays for his home town team but does that mean the writers need to get on their knees when they mention his name? Can anybody in the Yankees line up be eligible? No, because that team is built that sooner or later a pitcher will throw a meatball and give up a three run shot. Can anybody on Washington’s 59-103 win club get the MVP plaque? No because the only player anybody can think of on that team is their #1 draft pick Stephen Strasburg and he hasn’t played in the majors yet.

So what do I think an MVP should be? Somebody who scores a lot and knocks in a lot of runs, somebody who is consistent and is fundamentally solid a player that is always involved in the rally, their home runs count for something more than distance and their stolen bases eventually lead to scoring. I know the case for power hitters is consistent and strong because a guy who hits 30 + dingers a year can be a one man rally but those guys can also be pitched around and some are prone to strike outs and a lower batting average. I'm totally biased but a guy like the Red Sox' Dustin Padroia who won the AL MVP last year fits my mold very well. So why not Derek Jeter? This year wasn't one of hi best and . . . see above.

Does he really need an award?

http://tinyurl.com/y99ljhw

If they are a pitcher they need to be able to go the distance not just 6 innings if they are starting, they must be able to subdue teams with monster line ups, a closer must be all but perfect and able to go more than one inning when needed. Those latter rules can apply to the Cy Young award as well.

I think I’m old fashioned when it comes to the type of game I like and the type of player I like. I understand why the game changed and I accept it but I miss those games prior to the late eighties when pitchers would thro complete games with a higher frequency and before all the hitters got huge with “performance enhancers”.

Did you know players pay other players to help pad their stats?

Adam Wainwright 19-8, 212 SO, 2.63 ERA 233 IP but 1 complete Game?