THE FITZSIMMONS FILES: MLB Awards
Brian Fitzsimmons The Spectrum
Issue date: 11/17/05 Section: Sports
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Like the Red Sox and Yankees rivalry wasn't good enough during the regular season. In early October, both teams made an early exit thanks to the White Sox and Angels respectively, but the on-going war between both franchises has actually carried itself into the off season. Who rightfully deserves the American League Most valuable player award? Yankees fans are saying Alex Rodriguez and the Sox nation says David Ortiz gets the nod, right? Not so fast.
As of this past Sunday, the award has not been presented and wont be for another twenty four hours. Speculation is, whoever wins will be the victor with one of the closest margins in baseball history. Each posted spectacular statistics throughout the campaign, and fans can make a case for both. As a matter of fact, the polls will be so close that some Yankee fans, such as me, will vote for Ortiz.
Not too long ago, Ortiz was an average designated hitter for the Twins. The term "average" wasn't good enough for the Minnesota organization, so after releasing him, Boston signed this long shot talent and struck gold. In his first season in bean town, he tallied up 31 gopher balls and batted in 101. In 2004, he stepped up his game to another notch, and he ended up playing a huge part in Boston's storybook tale to win baseball's title. This season, the "Big Papi" lived up to what a power hitter should be, and by the end of the season, people started to state that Manny Ramirez and Ortiz are arguably the most feared duo in any baseball lineup in history. He ended the season with an even .300 batting average, belted 47 homeruns, knocked in 148 runners, while scoring 119 runs. These incredible statistics are a good enough argument for Ortiz to win the American League MVP, but another fact that hurts his opponent in turn strengthens Ortiz's chances. Alex Rodriguez was just plain awful this postseason. People affiliated with baseball claim MVP votes have nothing to do with the playoffs, but that is a blatant lie. A-Rod may have actually contributed to his possible loss in the race when he stated he "played like a dog" in the playoffs.
As of this past Sunday, the award has not been presented and wont be for another twenty four hours. Speculation is, whoever wins will be the victor with one of the closest margins in baseball history. Each posted spectacular statistics throughout the campaign, and fans can make a case for both. As a matter of fact, the polls will be so close that some Yankee fans, such as me, will vote for Ortiz.
Not too long ago, Ortiz was an average designated hitter for the Twins. The term "average" wasn't good enough for the Minnesota organization, so after releasing him, Boston signed this long shot talent and struck gold. In his first season in bean town, he tallied up 31 gopher balls and batted in 101. In 2004, he stepped up his game to another notch, and he ended up playing a huge part in Boston's storybook tale to win baseball's title. This season, the "Big Papi" lived up to what a power hitter should be, and by the end of the season, people started to state that Manny Ramirez and Ortiz are arguably the most feared duo in any baseball lineup in history. He ended the season with an even .300 batting average, belted 47 homeruns, knocked in 148 runners, while scoring 119 runs. These incredible statistics are a good enough argument for Ortiz to win the American League MVP, but another fact that hurts his opponent in turn strengthens Ortiz's chances. Alex Rodriguez was just plain awful this postseason. People affiliated with baseball claim MVP votes have nothing to do with the playoffs, but that is a blatant lie. A-Rod may have actually contributed to his possible loss in the race when he stated he "played like a dog" in the playoffs.