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A Few Random Thoughts on the Week That Was

Well, it's been awhile since I posted, but I'm back now, hopefully on a regular basis, so without further adieu, lets get to the week that was in sports.

•     The Phillies won the World Series after God tormented their fans for two extra days, delaying the last three innings with rain.  I suppose it may have been karma for the Philly fans, they did boo Santa Claus after all. I just think it would have been better if it started raining right after they won though.  I would think it would be harder to start fires in the rain.
      But in all seriousness, it was nice to see the city of Philadelphia get a major championship, although Jon Bon Jovi is upset that nobody cares that his Philadelphia Soul won the Arena League title. Philly fans are like cranky old people. They're angry and nobody particularly likes them, but it is nice to see them get something nice every once in awhile, just because it doesn't seem to happen often.
      On the flip side, I'm glad the Rays didn't win.  It isn't because I'm a bitter Boston fan - the Rays were a better team than the Sox this year, I admit that.  It is because, with apologies to the real Rays fans who have been fans for years, the majority of Rays fans just found out there was a team a few months ago.  They didn't even sell out game 7 of the ALCS.  And don't even get me started on the cowbells, which are actually against Tropicana Field rules (see #9).  Although I do have to admit, I still find it hard to root against Carlos Pena.
      Finally, as a Red Sox fan, it was nice to see longtime major leaguers and former Sox Jamie Moyer and Matt Stairs finally get rings, as well as former Sox manager Jimy Williams get another one.




•     Now onto the NBA, where Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is really starting to scare me.  You see, during last year's playoffs, my brother started joking that certain coaches looked like they could be serial killers, perhaps killing in each NBA city they visit over the course of the year. Flip Saunders was one. Gregg Popovich was another.  So this year, I turn on my TV to watch the Spurs play, and let me just say, the beard isn't exactly changing my mind.  It makes him look even more deranged.  I know the Saw movies aren't real, but I'm still getting worried that Popovich is the Jigsaw killer.  It is at the point where, if I saw Gregg Popovich on the street, I think I would run away from him in terror, which is not exactly the reaction I would expect to have if I ran into the NBA's best coach.
      Maybe I'm just crazy.  Maybe the beard has nothing to do with his being a deranged serial killer.  The only other logical explanation, of course, is that the Spurs are having a beard contest.  That would explain Tim Duncan's decision to go with the full beard this year.  I would still have to say Popovich's beard is better, but a darkhorse contender is emerging on the team in Matt Bonner. 




•     Now to college football where it is being reported that Phillip Fulmer is stepping down as head coach at Tennessee following this season.  And I know the perfect replacement for him: Herm Edwards.  Think about it.  A coach who has had limited success in the NFL, first with the Jets, then with another team, and who is also known as a real nice guy, goes to a major college program and turns it around.  Remind you of anyone?  Pete Carroll did it with USC, now it's Herm's chance to do it with Tennessee.  I know what you're thinking, Herm Edwards is still the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs.  But does anyone expect him to be after this year is over?  With the way that organization has been going in recent years, I guess the answer is "who knows?"  But still, I think it should happen.  Pencil it in now: Herm Edwards, Head Coach, University of Tennessee Volunteers.




•     And finally, to the NFL.  Well, kind of to the NFL.  During halftime of tonight's Monday Night Football, Chris Berman will have interviews with both the Presidential candidates, John McCain and Barack Obama.  While doing the interview, here are 12 things that Berman will have to hold back to avoid calling the candidates:
  
  
  12. Barack Barack Barack Barack Barack Barack....gone!
  11. Sarah "Led ZepPalin"
  10. Joe "Street Biden Man"
  9. Barack "B-I-N-G-Obama"
  8. Barack "Obama-lama-ding-dong"
  7. John "Singing In McCain"
  6. Joe "Saturday Night's Alright for Biden"
  5. Sarah "Van Palin"
  4. "Barocky Mountain High" Obama
  3. John "Citizen McCain"
  2. "Barock the Casbama"
  1. John "And I wonder, Still I wonder, Who'll stop McCain"

That's all I've got for today.

AL MVP Race.....Photo Finish? Not Really

Here's my picks for American League Most Valuable Player. As always, this is what my hypothetical ballot would look like.

American League Most Valuable Player

Missing the Cut:

Francisco Rodriguez RHP Angels
Just the high number of saves isn't enough to get him on the ballot, as it shows more that the Angels won a lot of close games than it does that he was deserving of MVP.

Carlos Quentin OF White Sox, Ian Kinsler 2B Rangers, Milton Bradley DH Rangers
All three put up great numbers when they were in there, but didn't get to the plate enough this season to crack my MVP ballot. Although if it was a 13-man ballot, these three might be 11, 12, and 13 respectively.

Any member of the Rays, White Sox, or Angels
Like I wrote in my NL MVP ballot, it was an odd year in that most of the playoff teams didn't have a standout player. Carlos Pena or Evan Longoria of the Rays may have cracked my ballot had they played more, but injuries (and time in the minors in Longoria's case) prevented that from happening. As I already explained, Quentin of the White Sox would have cracked my ballot, and probably been at least in the top 5, if he hadn't gotten hurt. The Angels' best player this year was still probably Vladimir Guerrero, but he had the worst year he's had in years and was not deserving of an MVP vote in my eyes.

10. Roy Halladay RHP Blue Jays
While injuries and ineffectiveness took out the rest of Toronto's rotation, Halladay was consistently an innings eater. Perhaps the most underrated pitcher in the league.

9. Justin Morneau 1B Twins
Some people say he should win the award, but he wasn't even the best player on his team. Still, a good player who had a good year.

8. Aubrey Huff DH Orioles
Quietly had an excellent year, finishing 4th in the league in VORP. Loses a few points due to lack of defense.

7. Cliff Lee LHP Indians
The best pitcher in the AL this year, 24 of the Indians 81 wins came in his starts.

6. Alex Rodriguez 3B Yankees
Still among the best players in the league, despite the boos from Yankees fans.

5. Kevin Youkilis 1B Red Sox
Hit well consistently throughout the whole year while playing great defense. Would probably be ranked higher had he not missed a few weeks due to injury.

4. Josh Hamilton OF Rangers
Great story about a guy who turned his life, and his baseball career, around. Numbers dropped off in the second half of the season, but still a legitimate MVP choice.

3. Grady Sizemore OF Indians
Great all-around player, is there anything he doesn't do well?

2. Joe Mauer C Twins
Good defensive catcher who this year became the first AL catcher to win two batting titles. He's also the only one to win even one.

1. Dustin Pedroia 2B Red Sox
Following a very good rookie year, I expected his numbers to dip a bit this year. Boy was I wrong. Led AL in hits, runs, and doubles while becoming my pick for 2008 AL MVP.

NL MVP pick........Surprised? Probably Not

Ok, so I didn't quite get this one done when I said I would, but I'm still getting it done before the awards are actually announced. This is my take on the National League Most Valuable Player race, and what my ballot would look like if I had a vote.

National League Most Valuable Player

Missing the Cut:

Manny Ramirez OF Dodgers
Put up great numbers in his time with the Dodgers, but wasn't there for long enough to garner an MVP vote from me

Carlos Delgado 1B Mets, Ryan Howard 1B Phillies
Both considered MVP candidates due to power numbers, but not even best candidates on their respective teams. In fact, there are 4 Mets I'd put ahead of Delgado (more on that soon) and 2 Phillies I'd put ahead of Howard.

Carlos Beltran OF Mets
One of the Mets I'd rank ahead of Delgado, when I finished making my list, I couldn't believe Beltran wasn't on it, but there wasn't anyone I'd replace him with. I guess that makes him my pick for 11th.

Any member of the Dodgers, Brewers, or Cubs
I know MVP candidates tend to come from winning teams, and these teams all made the playoffs. However, this year was odd (in both leagues) in that most of the good teams didn't really have any standout players. They were more of a team effort. Baseball isn't like basketball where one player can make a gigantic difference in record, it is much more individual. That can leave the playoff teams without an MVP candidate, while some non-playoff teams (including a team that choked a spot away again) with multiple candidates.

10. Tim Lincecum RHP Giants
Just think of the difference in the Giants odds of winning when he was pitching compared to when anyone else was. That's why he cracks this ballot.

9. Matt Holliday OF Rockies
Although not as good as last year when he could have legitimately won the award, still deserves a spot on the ballot, even if it is much lower.

8. Johan Santana LHP Mets
1b to Lincecum's 1a on my Cy Young ballot, gets higher spot on MVP ballot due to impressive performance down the stretch to keep Mets alive.

7. Jose Reyes SS Mets
6. David Wright 3B Mets
Mets had quite a few good players and these two were the best. It's not their fault that bullpen was bad.

5. Hanley Ramirez SS Marlins
Although he should win this award eventually, it isn't going to be this year.

4. Chipper Jones 3B Braves
Remember him? The 1999 MVP had one of the most impressive seasons of his career. If he could've stayed healthy, he would be higher on this list.

3. Lance Berkman 1B Astros
Started out strong before dropping off a bit, still among the best in the NL this year.

2. Chase Utley 2B Phillies
The best player on his team comes close to making it 3 straight MVPs for Phillies infielders, but can't beat out #1.

1. Albert Pujols 1B Cardinals
Simply the best player in the National League. As good as some of these other guys are, this one is no contest to me.

That's it for me, the AL MVP ballot will be up tomorrow. Think your favorite player was snubbed? Leave a comment.

Cy Young Award - And the winners are.....

I'm back with awards talk. This time, my hypothetical ballots for the AL and NL Cy Young Awards.

American League Cy Young Award

Nowhere Near My Ballot: Francisco Rodriguez RHP Angels
K-Rod had 62 saves this year, which has had some people saying he should win not only the Cy Young Award, but also the MVP. That is a joke. His 62 saves, while impressive, were more a result of opportunity (69 chances) than greatness. Don't get me wrong, I think Rodriguez is an excellent closer. But that doesn't mean I would vote for him for either of those awards. In fact, as far as closers go, there are at least 4 in the American League who I think had better seasons this year: Mariano Rivera, Joakim Soria, Joe Nathan, and Jonathan Papelbon.

Third: Jon Lester LHP Boston
Lester followed up a year where he beat cancer and then the Rockies in the clinching game 4 of the World Series with a fantastic season where he established himself as a legitimate ace. Although only being counted on to be the third pitcher for the Red Sox this year, Lester emerged as a better pitcher than both Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka (despite Dice-K's W-L record). Other options that crossed my mind included Ervin Santana, John Danks, Matsuzaka, and Rivera, but Lester gets the nod here.

Second: Roy Halladay RHP Blue Jays
Halladay is consistently among the top pitchers in the major leagues, and yet he doesn't get the attention he seems to deserve. Outside of Johan Santana, I'm not sure if there is any other pitcher I would rather have on my team. A workhorse who sometimes eats innings at the expense of his ERA, Halladay had 246 innings pitched, which was over 20 more than any other pitcher in the league. Despite this, his 2.78 ERA was second in the league. In many years, 20-11 with a 2.78 ERA would be good enough to win the award, but not this year.

First: Cliff Lee LHP Indians
In my 2006 fantasy baseball draft, Lee was the first starting pitcher I drafted. After all, he was a 28 year old left handed pitcher coming off an 18-5 season. So what happened? Lee had an average 2006 and a bad 2007 before being sent back to the minors. Needless to say, there weren't exactly high hopes for Lee heading into this season, as the Indians hoped he could just help fill out the rotation led by CC Sabathia and Fausto Carmona. So then what happened? Sabathia struggled early before recovering and being traded, Carmona struggled for pretty much the whole season, and Lee went 22-3 with a 2.54 ERA, getting 27 percent of the Indians' wins on his way to being my pick for the 2008 AL Cy Young Award.

National League Cy Young Award

Third: Cole Hamels LHP Phillies
Much like in the AL, this is a two-horse race, which leaves a lot of possibilities for the third spot on the ballot. I decided on Hamels, who went 14-10 with a 3.09 ERA. He also had a quality 3.7 K/BB ratio and was second in the NL in innings pitched with 227.1. Other options here included Ryan Dempster, Chad Billingsley, Derek Lowe, Brandon Webb, and Sabathia.

Second: Johan Santana LHP Mets
Instead of first and second, the top two pitchers in the NL are more like 1a and 1b. But somebody has to finish first and somebody has to finish second. Santana led the league in innings pitched (234.1) and ERA (2.53). I still consider him the best pitcher in Major League Baseball, despite not quite being the best this year. Although the Mets didn't make the playoffs, it was not his fault, and I can't help but wonder how many more wins the Twins would have had if they hadn't traded him. Still, I thought he wasn't quite as good this year as my choice for number one.

First: Tim Lincecum RHP Giants
This has been simply an excellent year for Lincecum, despite the fact that the team he was on was pretty awful. He went 18-5 with a 2.62 ERA this year, getting 25 percent of the Giants' wins. On top of that, he led the National League in strikeouts with 265, a full 59 more than Santana, who finished second in that category. This was awfully close, but that was the biggest stat to tip the scales in Lincecum's favor, and it helps in my decision that Tim Lincecum should win the 2008 NL Cy Young Award.

That's it for the pitchers. Tomorrow, I'll give my thoughts on the NL MVP.