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November 13, 2005
Who Will Win The A.L. MVP
While I've already gone on record regarding the Ortiz/A-Rod debate, I will say now that I do not expect Alex Rodriguez to win the 2005 A.L. MVP Award.
A-Rod was the most effective batter (overall) in the league this season - sabermetrically speaking. And, Ortiz was the 2nd most effective batter during the regular season.
However, if you look at the A.L. MVP selections since 1995 you will see that only twice was someone chosen where they were the most effective batter in the league (or darn close to it): Vladimir Guerrero last year and Jason Giambi in 2000.
So, in the last decade, 80% of the time the A.L.'s most overall effective batter did not win the MVP Award. That's not good news for the A-Rod camp.
Perhaps what might sway the voters is the "DH winning the award" issue. Many of those who have this issue are the same who say that a RP should not win the Cy Young Award. And, we know how that vote went this year.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at November 13, 2005 11:25 PM
Comments
Perhaps what might sway the voters is the "DH winning the award" issue.
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You pretty much know my sentiments about baseball writers in general, but anyone who votes either way based on that criteria needs their head checked.
Being a full-time DH shouldn't matter. The glove giveth, the glove taketh away. Everyone sees a dazzling play in the field, but conveniently overlooks the botched routine grounder.
If defense really meant that much, Rey Ordonez would still be in the league
Posted by: Raf ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at November 14, 2005 10:44 AM
Alex Rodriguez, your 2005 American League MVP. Congratulations!
The point many fail to take into account regarding why a DH should most likely not be an MVP is this. The grind of the 162 game season. A DH hits, runs bases and sits. A position player is out there in the weather and expending lots of energy playing in the field.
Posted by: Don at November 14, 2005 02:06 PM
A DH hits, runs bases and sits. A position player is out there in the weather and expending lots of energy playing in the field.
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And when the game is on the line, the DH will be well rested, whereas the position player will be pooped after expending all that engergy on the field...
Posted by: Raf at November 15, 2005 03:24 PM