I'm Ready to Play
As you all know by now, Holly is a giant slut for Major League Baseball. Well, it's time for Holly to dole out the post-season Awards:
American League
MVP:
1. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, New York Yankees
--(48 HR, 130 RBI, .322 BA) Not only does he produce big numbers and big hits for the underachieving New York Yankees, he actually plays in the field, and gold-glove quality at that! Take that David Ortiz.
2. David Ortiz, DH, Boston Red Sox
--(47 HR, 148 RBI, .300 BA) Easily the best clutch hitter of the last five years. He's actually had bigger numbers than the "best player" on the Sox, Manny Ramirez, over the past two seasons.
3. Manny Ramirez, OF, Boston Red Sox
--(45 HR, 144 RBI, .292 BA) Every year, Manny is an RBI machine. This year, his batting average was down, but he was clutch during the last week of the season. Ortiz and Ramirez might cancel each other out in the MVP voting. That's why I'm sticking by A-Rod.
Cy Young
1.Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees
--(7-4, 1.38 ERA, 80 Ks, 43 saves) The anchor of a questionable New York Yankees pitching staff, Rivera, once again, shows why he's a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame.
2.Randy Johnson, New York Yankees
--(17-8, 3.79 ERA, 211 Ks) You're probably thinking I'm a Yankees fan. I'm not. St. Louis Cardinals, baby. But Johnson picked it up when it mattered. He also ended up second in the AL in strikeouts and fourth in wins.
Rookie of the Year
Who cares? Ever since Ichiro and Albert Pujols won the award in 2001, this has been a dud category. Worthy of consideration: Huston Street (P, Oakland Athletics), Robinson Cano (2B, New York Yankees), Johnny Gomes (OF, Tampa Bay Devil Rays).
National League
MVP:
1.Andruw Jones, OF, Atlanta Braves
--(51 HR, 128 RBI, .262 BA) Not only is he the best outfielder in the game, he carried the young Braves team through the summer months when Chipper Jones was injured. The first man with 50 homers since A-Rod and Jim Thome in 2002, the only thing that might keep him from winning the award is the low batting average and the next guy on the list ...
2.Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals
--(41 HR, 117 RBI, .330 BA) Pujols is the best player on the best team in baseball. And once again, it looks like he won't win the MVP award. Just think, this is a typical year for Pujols ... except, this year, he decided to add speed to his game (he stole 16 bases, doubling his career total) and actually play gold-glove-caliber defense. But the best defensive first-baseman, who actually had better stats this year, was the next guy on the list ...
3.Derek Lee, 1B, Chicago Cubs
--(46 HR, 107 RBI, .335 BA) Lee lead the majors in batting average, producing career high numbers in every major category. Too bad he played for the limp Chicago Cubs.
Cy Young:
1.Chris Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals
American League
MVP:
1. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, New York Yankees
--(48 HR, 130 RBI, .322 BA) Not only does he produce big numbers and big hits for the underachieving New York Yankees, he actually plays in the field, and gold-glove quality at that! Take that David Ortiz.
2. David Ortiz, DH, Boston Red Sox
--(47 HR, 148 RBI, .300 BA) Easily the best clutch hitter of the last five years. He's actually had bigger numbers than the "best player" on the Sox, Manny Ramirez, over the past two seasons.
3. Manny Ramirez, OF, Boston Red Sox
--(45 HR, 144 RBI, .292 BA) Every year, Manny is an RBI machine. This year, his batting average was down, but he was clutch during the last week of the season. Ortiz and Ramirez might cancel each other out in the MVP voting. That's why I'm sticking by A-Rod.
Cy Young
1.Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees
--(7-4, 1.38 ERA, 80 Ks, 43 saves) The anchor of a questionable New York Yankees pitching staff, Rivera, once again, shows why he's a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame.
2.Randy Johnson, New York Yankees
--(17-8, 3.79 ERA, 211 Ks) You're probably thinking I'm a Yankees fan. I'm not. St. Louis Cardinals, baby. But Johnson picked it up when it mattered. He also ended up second in the AL in strikeouts and fourth in wins.
Rookie of the Year
Who cares? Ever since Ichiro and Albert Pujols won the award in 2001, this has been a dud category. Worthy of consideration: Huston Street (P, Oakland Athletics), Robinson Cano (2B, New York Yankees), Johnny Gomes (OF, Tampa Bay Devil Rays).
National League
MVP:
1.Andruw Jones, OF, Atlanta Braves
--(51 HR, 128 RBI, .262 BA) Not only is he the best outfielder in the game, he carried the young Braves team through the summer months when Chipper Jones was injured. The first man with 50 homers since A-Rod and Jim Thome in 2002, the only thing that might keep him from winning the award is the low batting average and the next guy on the list ...
2.Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals
--(41 HR, 117 RBI, .330 BA) Pujols is the best player on the best team in baseball. And once again, it looks like he won't win the MVP award. Just think, this is a typical year for Pujols ... except, this year, he decided to add speed to his game (he stole 16 bases, doubling his career total) and actually play gold-glove-caliber defense. But the best defensive first-baseman, who actually had better stats this year, was the next guy on the list ...
3.Derek Lee, 1B, Chicago Cubs
--(46 HR, 107 RBI, .335 BA) Lee lead the majors in batting average, producing career high numbers in every major category. Too bad he played for the limp Chicago Cubs.
Cy Young:
1.Chris Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals
--(21-5, 2.83 ERA, 213 Ks) The best pitcher on the best pitching staff in baseball (see comments for Pujols). Sure, he slipped a little at the end of the year, but so what. This breakthrough season by Carpenter should be rewarded.
2.Dontrelle Willis, Florida Marlins
--(22-10, 2.63 ERA, 170Ks) Willis also had a breakthrough season, and was tough down the stretch. He might get some extra votes because of his hitting ... but this award is not about hitting, is it? Both of these picks owe apologies to the future Hall of Famer Roger Clemens, who, at the age of 43, posted a career low ERA, but got no run support from the Astros all season.
Rookie of the Year:
Who cares? Up for considertion: the clutch-power hitting of Ryan Howard (1B, Philadelphia Phillies). Jeff Francoeur will also be mentioned, but he faded near the end of the season.
Other Awards:
Steroid Infraction of the Year Award: Ryan Franklin, and, oh yeah, Rafael Palmeiro
The Adrian Beltre Award (for freakishly great year that will never be repeated): Brian Roberts
Who's Really, Still, the Greatest Player in the Game (aka the "Way Past Their Prime Award"): Greg Maddux
Holly's seriously flawed post-season predictions:
St. Louis vs. San Diego: St. Louis
Houston vs. Atlanta: Atlanta
New York vs. Los Angeles Angels: Los Angeles
Chicago White Sox vs. Boston: Chicago
Therefore:
St. Louis vs. Atlanta: St. Louis
Chicago vs. Los Angeles: Chicago
Which means:
St. Louis sweeps the World Series, avenging last years loss by the Boston Red Sox, while the White Sox continue their 1221412346 year World Series title drought.
2.Dontrelle Willis, Florida Marlins
--(22-10, 2.63 ERA, 170Ks) Willis also had a breakthrough season, and was tough down the stretch. He might get some extra votes because of his hitting ... but this award is not about hitting, is it? Both of these picks owe apologies to the future Hall of Famer Roger Clemens, who, at the age of 43, posted a career low ERA, but got no run support from the Astros all season.
Rookie of the Year:
Who cares? Up for considertion: the clutch-power hitting of Ryan Howard (1B, Philadelphia Phillies). Jeff Francoeur will also be mentioned, but he faded near the end of the season.
Other Awards:
Steroid Infraction of the Year Award: Ryan Franklin, and, oh yeah, Rafael Palmeiro
The Adrian Beltre Award (for freakishly great year that will never be repeated): Brian Roberts
Who's Really, Still, the Greatest Player in the Game (aka the "Way Past Their Prime Award"): Greg Maddux
Holly's seriously flawed post-season predictions:
St. Louis vs. San Diego: St. Louis
Houston vs. Atlanta: Atlanta
New York vs. Los Angeles Angels: Los Angeles
Chicago White Sox vs. Boston: Chicago
Therefore:
St. Louis vs. Atlanta: St. Louis
Chicago vs. Los Angeles: Chicago
Which means:
St. Louis sweeps the World Series, avenging last years loss by the Boston Red Sox, while the White Sox continue their 1221412346 year World Series title drought.
I promise, folks. Holly's next blog post will return to a topic held dear by all hipsters: relationships.
posted by holly go-heavily @ 10:50 AM
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