A look at upcoming Postseason Awards from MLB.com
Tuesday: National League Cy Young
Chris Carpenter could join Randy Johnson and Greg Maddux as the only repeat NL winner since this award was divided into two league recipients in 1967. There was a six-way tie for the league lead in victories at just 16 - the fewest wins by an NL single-season leader in any year not shortened by labor issues. Carpenter (3.09 ERA) wasn't even part of that six-way tie, winning 15 games, but he was crucial to another division title. Brandon Webb (16-8, 3.10 ERA) is likely to be his chief competition, unless the voters went with a reliever like Trevor Hoffman (NL-best 46 saves) by default.
Chris Carpenter could join Randy Johnson and Greg Maddux as the only repeat NL winner since this award was divided into two league recipients in 1967. There was a six-way tie for the league lead in victories at just 16 - the fewest wins by an NL single-season leader in any year not shortened by labor issues. Carpenter (3.09 ERA) wasn't even part of that six-way tie, winning 15 games, but he was crucial to another division title. Brandon Webb (16-8, 3.10 ERA) is likely to be his chief competition, unless the voters went with a reliever like Trevor Hoffman (NL-best 46 saves) by default.
Wednesday: American and National League Managers of the Year
Theoretically, this could be an interesting distribution to two managers who were dismissed after the season, but Joe Girardi is probably likelier to see that happen than Ken Macha. In the AL, Jim Leyland is a top candidate after returning to the bench to guide the Tigers to 95 victories and a Wild Card berth. His main competition could be Ron Gardenhire, whose Twins surpassed Leyland's Tigers at the wire after a huge in-season turnaround.
In the NL, Girardi had the Majors' lowest payroll and utilized 22 rookies during the season, starting out 11-31 and then staying in the Wild Card hunt until the last week. Willie Randolph managed his star-studded Mets team to a tie for the Majors' best record.
Theoretically, this could be an interesting distribution to two managers who were dismissed after the season, but Joe Girardi is probably likelier to see that happen than Ken Macha. In the AL, Jim Leyland is a top candidate after returning to the bench to guide the Tigers to 95 victories and a Wild Card berth. His main competition could be Ron Gardenhire, whose Twins surpassed Leyland's Tigers at the wire after a huge in-season turnaround.
In the NL, Girardi had the Majors' lowest payroll and utilized 22 rookies during the season, starting out 11-31 and then staying in the Wild Card hunt until the last week. Willie Randolph managed his star-studded Mets team to a tie for the Majors' best record.
Thursday: American League Cy Young
Johan Santana completed an overall Major League pitching Triple Crown, leading both leagues in wins (19, tying Chien-Ming Wang), strikeouts (245) and ERA (2.77). It would be his second Cy Young Award in three years, if the baseball writers voted accordingly. Other AL pitchers probably were good enough this year that they would win this award in the other league, but also factoring in how Santana helped the Twins to a division title, no other BBWAA award seems more obvious.
Johan Santana completed an overall Major League pitching Triple Crown, leading both leagues in wins (19, tying Chien-Ming Wang), strikeouts (245) and ERA (2.77). It would be his second Cy Young Award in three years, if the baseball writers voted accordingly. Other AL pitchers probably were good enough this year that they would win this award in the other league, but also factoring in how Santana helped the Twins to a division title, no other BBWAA award seems more obvious.
Monday, Nov. 20th: National League MVP
Ryan Howard has been on a roll, taking the Hank Aaron Award for best offensive performer, the Players Choice Award for overall Player of the Year and Outstanding Player, among others. Howard hit .313 with 58 homers and 149 RBIs, and helped the Phillies contend to the end.
Competition will include reigning MVP Albert Pujols (.331, 49, 137), who had a monster start and then also showed his value when the Cards struggled while he was injured. Carlos Beltran is the likeliest of a few Mets candidates with 41 homers and 116 RBIs in a return to form, and Lance Berkman had even better numbers at .315, 45 homers and 136 RBIs.
Ryan Howard has been on a roll, taking the Hank Aaron Award for best offensive performer, the Players Choice Award for overall Player of the Year and Outstanding Player, among others. Howard hit .313 with 58 homers and 149 RBIs, and helped the Phillies contend to the end.
Competition will include reigning MVP Albert Pujols (.331, 49, 137), who had a monster start and then also showed his value when the Cards struggled while he was injured. Carlos Beltran is the likeliest of a few Mets candidates with 41 homers and 116 RBIs in a return to form, and Lance Berkman had even better numbers at .315, 45 homers and 136 RBIs.
Tuesday, Nov. 21st: American League MVP
Derek Jeter already has won the AL's Hank Aaron Award and a Silver Slugger, as well as a Gold Glove at shortstop -- representing luminous all-around recognition. And his team won the AL East again. Jeter hit nearly 60 points higher than David Ortiz at the plate, but Big Papi always seemed to be there with the walk-off blast, finishing with a Red Sox-record 54 homers and 137 RBIs.
Other likely candidates include Jermaine Dye (.315, 44, 120), Justin Morneau (.321, 34, 130) and Vladimir Guerrero (.329, 33, 116). Dye took the players' AL Outstanding Player vote.
Derek Jeter already has won the AL's Hank Aaron Award and a Silver Slugger, as well as a Gold Glove at shortstop -- representing luminous all-around recognition. And his team won the AL East again. Jeter hit nearly 60 points higher than David Ortiz at the plate, but Big Papi always seemed to be there with the walk-off blast, finishing with a Red Sox-record 54 homers and 137 RBIs.
Other likely candidates include Jermaine Dye (.315, 44, 120), Justin Morneau (.321, 34, 130) and Vladimir Guerrero (.329, 33, 116). Dye took the players' AL Outstanding Player vote.
2 comments:
I'm excited to see how the awards will play out.
Me too! I'm not surprised that Verlander took Rookie of the Year; he deserved it more than anyone. But, I am shocked that Papelbon beat out Liriano for second. That's nonsense.
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