Assenheimer: Another Cy for one of our guys
Chris Assenheimer | The Chronicle-Telegram
It’s nearly that time again, when the Baseball Writer’s Association of America chooses its annual awards for both leagues — Most Valuable Player, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year and Manager of the Year.
As a member of the BBWAA’s Cleveland chapter, I get to vote for one of them — the American League’s Cy Young Award winner.
But if I could vote for them all, this is how I would cast my ballot with the candidates for each honor included:
(STATISTICS THROUGH FRIDAY)
AMERICAN LEAGUE
MVP
THE CANDIDATES: Josh Hamilton (Rangers, .305, 31 HRs, 124 RBIs), Justin Morneau (Twins, .310, 23 HRs, 120 RBIs), Kevin Youkilis (Red Sox, .310, 25 HRs, 100 RBIs), Carlos Quentin (White Sox, .288, 36 HRs, 100 RBIs), Grady Sizemore (Indians, .265,
31 HRs, 87 RBIs, 37 SB).
THE WINNER: Morneau
THE REASON: This is a tough one to call with this list and plenty of other players worthy of winning the award. A Hamilton pick makes for the best story, but Morneau has better stats and he’s playing for a potential playoff team. Sizemore, who is the only player in the majors with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases, plus plays Gold Glove defense, could finish in the top five. But his subpar batting average will hurt him in the long run.
CY YOUNG
THE CANDIDATES: Cliff Lee (Indians, 22-2, 2.36 ERA), Roy Halladay (Blue Jays, 18-10, 2.77 ERA), Francisco Rodriguez (Angels, 2-2, 2.42 ERA, 57 saves), Daisuke Matzusaka (Red Sox,
16-2, 2.97 ERA), Mike Mussina (Yankees, 17-8, 3.48 ERA).
THE WINNER: Lee
THE REASON: K-Rod figures to pose the biggest threat to Lee, and while setting a new MLB saves record — if it happens — is certainly nothing to scoff at, this award almost always goes to a starting pitcher. And Lee has clearly outperformed everyone in that department, producing a season that has rarely been seen before. Barring three disastrous outings to finish the year, Lee should be the Indians’ second straight Cy Young winner.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
THE CANDIDATES: Evan Longoria (Rays, .278, 22 HRs,
71 RBIs), David Murphy (Rangers, .275, 15 HRs, 74 RBIs), Armando Galarraga (Tigers, 12-6, 3.58 ERA), Nick Blackburn (Twins, 10-8, 3.67 ERA), Alexei Ramirez (White Sox, .298, 16 HRs, 64 RBIs).
THE WINNER: Longoria
THE REASON: Someone from the Rays has to win an award, since they’ve been the biggest story in baseball this season, and Longoria — no relation to Eva — fits the bill. He’s got a respectable average and better-than-average power numbers, playing a key role in Tampa Bay’s surprising success. Cleveland’s Ben Francisco should get some recognition here, batting .275 with 14 homers and 52 RBIs and ranking fourth in the AL with 11 outfield assists.
MANAGER OF THE YEAR
THE CANDIDATES: Joe Maddon (Rays, 87-57, first place AL East), Mike Scioscia (Angels, 90-57, first place AL West), Ron Gardenhire (Twins, 80-66, second place AL Central), Ozzie Guillen (White Sox, 81-65, first place AL Central), Cito Gaston (Blue Jays, 79-68, third place AL East).
THE WINNER: Maddon
THE REASON: This is one of the few no-brainers on the awards list in either league, with Maddon likely to be a unanimous decision, unless the West Coast writers favor Scioscia and the Angels’ domination of a weak division. Maddon has led the Rays from obscurity to a playoff appearance and is on the verge of winning the notoriously toughest division in baseball.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
MVP
THE CANDIDATES: Albert Pujols (Cardinals, .362, 33 HRs, 100 RBIs), Ryan Howard (Phillies, .243, 43 HRs, 129 RBIs), Ryan Braun (Brewers, .295, 34 HRs, 96 RBIs), Lance Berkman (Astros, .328,
28 HRs, 100 RBIs), David Wright (Mets, .296, 28 HRs, 109 RBIs).
THE WINNER: Pujols
THE REASON: St. Louis won’t make the postseason, but Pujols has pretty much been in a class by himself, maintaining the lofty average and power numbers while playing with a shredded ligament in his elbow the entire season. Not only is Pujols among the leaders in average, homers and RBIs, he also ranks at the top in on-base percentage and slugging percentage.
CY YOUNG
THE CANDIDATES: Brandon Webb (Diamondbacks, 20-7, 3.28 ERA), Roy Oswalt (Astros, 15-9, 3.54 ERA), CC Sabathia (Brewers, 9-0, 1.59 ERA), Tim Lincecum (Giants, 16-3, 2.54 ERA), Endison Volquez (Reds, 16-5, 3.23 ERA).
THE WINNER: Webb
THE REASON: Sabathia would be an acceptable choice here, since he’s made more of an impact on his playoff-bound club than any other pitcher in the league, going 9-0 with a 1.59 ERA, six complete games and three shutouts in 13 starts for Milwaukee. But he’s only spent half the season in the NL and the award is likely to go to Webb, the league’s best starting pitcher for much of the year. Winning 20 games still carries a lot of weight.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
THE CANDIDATES: Geovany Soto (Cubs, .288, 21 HRs,
80 RBIs), Joey Votto (Reds, .288,
19 HRs, 71 RBIs), Jair Jurrjens (Braves, 13-9, 3.62 ERA), Kosuke Fukodome (Cubs, .261, 9 HRs,
54 RBIs), Jay Bruce (Reds, .262, 17 HRs, 47 RBIs).
THE WINNER: Soto
THE REASON: Soto’s stats are better than any other first-year position player in the NL, plus he’s been starting at catcher for one of the best teams in baseball since the season began.
MANAGER OF THE YEAR
THE CANDIDATES: Lou Piniella (Cubs, 88-58, first place NL Central), Jerry Manuel (Mets,
82-63, first place NL East), Ned Yost (83-64, second place NL Central), Joe Torre (Dodgers, 76-71, first place NL West), Cecil Cooper (Astros, third place NL Central).
THE WINNER: Piniella
THE REASON: It’s Sweet Lou in a close race over Manuel. Piniella’s Cubs have been the class of the National League for pretty much the entire year, but Manuel kept the Mets from another late-season collapse after taking over for Willie Randolph.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.
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Filed by Chris Assenheimer | The Chronicle-Telegram September 14th, 2008 in Sports. Popularity: 5% |
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