As this 2008 season gets closer to wrapping up we are all vastly entertained by the races in both the AL and NL. There are, however, some teams not involved directly in those races that have some individuals who are coming up with career seasons. Here are some great performances thus far this season that certainly deserve awards.
The Stopper Award: This one goes to the starter who has the ability to win a game when the team is on a slide and most needs a victory. Gotta go with Mike Mussina (New York Yankees). Moose has been nails this year digging the yankees out of a hole. Cliff Lee (Cleveland Indians) gets some looks here as well, but it seemed that Moose was always pitching after a loss this season and the Yankees did so very little to help him out while he did it (3.6 runs/ game support).
The Money Award: This award goes to the pitcher who performs like each start happens on payday. Cliff Lee (Indians) was money almost everytime he took the mound. In fact, he has, right now, the highest winning percentage of any pitcher to reach 20 wins in a season ever. This guy was like cash in hand each time his spot in the rotation came along.
The Cardiac Award: This is awarded to the most effective pitcher who wins ugly. These are the guys who need a little pressure to get their motor going. They get the W's but they cause the collective fan base to see a cardiac care specialist after every appearance. Special mention goes to, A.J. Burnett (Toronto Blue Jays) and Troy Percival (Tampa Bay Rays) for their efforts to raise the heartrates of their respective fans. The award has to go to Dice "K" Matsuzaka (Boston Red Sox) for providing much needed medical awareness to so many Beantowners this year.
The Atlas Award: This award goes to the pitcher who shoulders the load without much need for assistance. Gotta go with Roy Halladay (Toronto Blue Jays) on this one. As Austin Powers might say "Who closes their own games now days, really?".
The Doorman Award: This is the guy standing behind the velvet ropes with a line of people waiting to get in. He checks his list and if you ain't on it, you ain't dancin'. Who stopped the inherited runners from coming in this year? The entire Tampa Bay Rays Bullpen. Balfour, Howell, and Wheeler were stout at the rubber when coming into a game with men on base. In fact, they had half as many games with double digit scoring on them than the next team on the list. Great turnaround for this team and this group.
The Closer Award: This is awarded to the guy who can pull down the curtain on a game without breaking a sweat. Now most of the time you can give this one to the guy with the most saves and forget about it. This year it isn't like that. Rodriguez (LA Angels) has 53 saves and without a doubt leads the ML in this catagory, but his stats suggest that he might not be as dominant as some of the other top closers this year. Papelbon (Boston Red Sox) has shown incredible control late this year and deserves mention for his ability to throw strikes and get outs. As does Jenks (Chicago White Sox) and Soria (KC Royals) for their efforts at opposite ends of the division this year. Rivera (New York Yankees) has shown his stuff as usual although he struggled with some blown saves early in the season. The guy has to be Joe Nathan (Minnesota Twins). Great numbers and some key DP's in tough situations this year. Seven inning or game ending DP's and the best ERA among closers this season. Though a case can be made for all those mentioned here.
The "Not This Guy" Award: This award is given to the starter batters hated facing the most this year. Cliff Lee (Indians) again gets credit for sawing off lumber and making them look stupid at the plate all season, but Duchscherer (Oakland Athletics) had 'em comin' out of their shoes all year long. I don't think I saw a pretty at bat against him all season. Cliff Floyd said after a game he started in Oakland this year, "I never felt silly up there like I felt silly today.".
Well that concludes my personal award ceremony with a month left to go. Tell me what you think as I didn't get to watch nearly all the games from everyone I know I missed someone despite my MLB satelite package.
