Scrooge’s 2007 MLB Year-End-Awards
by Scrooge McSuck
Another baseball season has come and gone. The Yankees collapsed in the playoffs… again, the Boston Red SAWX won another World Series (plans to hang ‘self), and the Rays finished in last place for the 9th time in 10 years. The more things change, the more they stay the same. 2007 was home to other surprises, however. The total tank job of the Mets that cost them the NL East, the incredible September run of the Colorado Rockies, and the Baltimore Orioles somehow managing to allow 30 runs in a single game, despite leading 3-0 going into the 4th inning. Okay, so with the Orioles, nothing is really surprising to me. They just flat out suck. Below is my choices for each award and my reasons behind them. My bias will no doubt shine through here, but for the most part, my selections will be pretty fair based on the facts.
American League MVP: Alex Rodriguez (NYY)
A-Rod is a greedy fucking asshole who couldn’t care less about his team, but he’s the run away choice for this award. 54 HR, 156 RBI, .314 avg., 143 runs scored, and 24 stolen bases? I don’t think anyone else could even be considered for the winner of the award. The only competition is who would be the runner up, Magglio Ordonez or some other guy not worth mentioning. Have I mentioned how much I hate A-Rod now?
National League MVP: Matt Holliday (COL)
The National League award, however, is a pretty close race. Other candidates could include David Wright, Jimmy Rollins, Jake Peavy, and Prince Fielder, but I have to give Holliday the nod here. A .340 average, 36 HR’s, 137 RBI, 216 hits (92 for extra bases) and 120 runs scored is nothing to sneeze at. His only downfall is striking out over 120 times, but who cares about that? Last years winner struck out 200 times this year.
American League Cy Young: Josh Beckett (BOS)
Blech… I so didn’t want to give the award to him, but it was pretty much a two horse race between him and Cleveland’s C.C. Sabathia when it came to serious contenders. Beckett, a 20 game winner, the only one of the 2007 season, with an ERA in the low 3’s and nearly 194 strikeouts gets the nod here. The numbers are SLIGHTLY better, but the post-season efforts of both men made my “who’s more clutch” debate slant entirely in Beckett’s favor. I know post-season doesn’t REALLY count towards the awartd, but it helps on deciding factors.
National League Cy Young: Jake Peavy (SD)
Not much of a surprise here. A 19-game winner (leading the NL), with a 2.54 ERA, and 240 strikeouts (the major league leader). His ability to pitch in big games keeps hurting his credibility, but in the regular season, you’re almost guaranteed he’s giving you a qualityt start, unless it’s on short rest. Not many choices to sift through other than him, in my opinion. The National League is obviously considerably weaker than the Amertican League in pitching.
American League Rookie of the Year: Delmon Young (TB)
Yeah, yeah, yeah. This is where my bias will shine through. Let’s see the number comparisons between Delmon and Dustin Pedroia of the Sawx. Batting average: Young: .288, Pedroia: .317 (1-0 Pedroia). HR: Young: 13, Pedroia: 8 (1-1), RBI’s: Young: 93; Pedroia: 50 (2-1 Young), Runs scored: Young: 65; Pedroia: 86 (2-2), Hits: Young: 186, Pedroia: 165 (3-2 Young). Young also hit over .350 with RISP, and I’m sure Pedroia did the same. When it came to defense, both had their moments, but 16 outfield assists is nothing to over-look for Young. This award can go either way, but I’m giving it to Young because he did more further down the lineup and on a team with so little protection like Pedroia had, and because I’m a homer.
National League Rookie of the Year: Ryan Braun (MIL)
No need to even comment on why he’s my choice… but I will. Despite joining the Brewers roster about a month into the season, he still managed to sock out 34 homers, drive in nearly 100 RBI’s, and hit well over .300. I’m sure there are some people who like Troy Tulowitzki, but baseball fans are obsessed with power numbers (hence the snubbing of Jeter last year in favor of Justin Morneau), so that’s another reason for Braun winning.
American League Comeback Player of the Year: Carlos Pena (TB)
Homer or not, this was easy. After spending almost all of 2005-2006 in the minors with the Tigerts, Yankees, and Red Sox, Pena, who was cut the last day of Spring Training, came back up in the middle of April and put on an impressive performance. 46 HR’s (4th in AL), 121 RBI’s (6th in AL), batted .282 (30 points above his career average), and was second in the league in slugging percentage. He also set team records in a season in HR, RBI, Walks, Slugging, and I believe OBP.
National League Comeback Player of the Year: Josh Hamilton (CIN)
Just because I can’t think of anyone of significance in the NL. Hamilton was the feel good story going into the season, battling personal demons over the course of the last 8 years. Despite several injuries putting him out for extended periods of playing time, Hamilton hit a respectable .292, drove in nearly 50 runs, and socked 19 homers in 90 games. For a man who didn’t play for three years and most extensive playing time was in Single-A, not too bad of a debut performance.
And the final award…
Scrooge’s Boner of the Year: The Baltimore Orioles – August 22nd, 2007.
Yes, that game against the Texas Rangers. The fact they gave up 30 runs in a 9-inning game wasn’t bad enough, but this was game 1 of a double-header, and in the second game of the day, they gave up double digit runs again. This one day span crippled their team and bullpen ERA for the rest of the season, and left Orioles fans with another reason to hide their heads from cameras. A one time great team with a history of winning is now resorted to being the butt of jokes on ESPN every night… oh yeah, the Orioles won my award last year too, for the intentional walk single allowed to Miguel Cabrera.
Honorable Mentions:
- The Rays bullpen blows a 6-run 9th inning lead to Toronto, allowing the winning run to score on a walk.
- Milton Bradley tears his ACL arguing with an umpire while being restrained by his manager.
- Jose Reyes picks a fight with Miguel Olivo on September 29th during a Mets blow-out of the Marlins. The next day, the Marlins return the favor and eliminate the Mets from the NL East race.
Sound Off!Comment about this article on Da' Wrestling Boards!