Now that the season is over, we can finally start making real predictions for all of the awards. Now, there are so many hard picks, this will not be easy; however, I'll do my best. Before I start though, I will only say who wins and why they do. Then I'll do a little blurb after the winner on who was passed up with the place they finished in after their name in (). Ok, MVP time. The National League goes first because obviously the National League is better than the American League.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER 2006 NATIONAL LEAGUE: ALBERT PUJOLS, ST. LOUIS CARDINALS This is a no doubter folks. Who lifted the St. Louis Cardinals into the playoffs? Albert Pujols. Who didn't? Ryan Howard. Who ended a possible third eight game losing streak for the Cardinals? Albert Pujols. The guy is obvious pick. Sorry Philly fans. Ryan Howard does deserve the Most Outstanding player, no doubt; however, the Most VALUABLE Player is the guy that carries you into the postseason, not carries your luggage to the terminal for a flight home. SORRY TO: Howard (2nd), Carlos Beltran (3rd) AMERICAN LEAGUE: JUSTIN MORNEAU, MINNESOTA TWINS There is no denying that Morneau wins the MVP for the AL. Without him, the Twins never would have won the division (or go to the postseason for that matter). The guy made the Twins go. Sure, say Johan Santanna made them go, but he led the pitching staff. He led the pitching staff last year too and and "made them go" home. So, obviously Santanna can't do it alone. This is where Moneau came in and won the MVP award and stole it from other deserving players. SORRY TO: David Ortiz (2nd), Derek Jeter (3rd), Frank Thomas (4th), Santanna (5th), Jim Thome (6th), Jermaine Dye (7th)
CY YOUNG AWARD 2006 NATIONAL LEAGUE: CHRIS CARPENTER, ST. LOUIS CARDINALS Yes folks, it's a clean sweep for the Cardinals again. Carp was very dominate all year long. Sure, he had some struggles along the way, but he did towards the end of the year last year. This year, though, can be blamed on a inconsistent bullpen. Because of that pen, Tony La Russa was forced to leave Carp out there on an empty tank at the end of the year and his numbers suffered. Although, a 15-8 record and 3.09 earned run average is pretty damn good. SORRY TO: Roy Oswalt (2nd), Brad Penny (3rd), Carlos Zambrano (4th) AMERICAN LEAGUE: JOHAN SANTANNA, MINNESOTA TWINS Another sweep, this time for the Twins. Santanna carried the Twins pitching yet again. He was the MLB leader in all three pitching Triple Crown categories (ERA, Wins and Ks). This guy is dominant and when he took the mound, you know you were gonna win. SORRY TO: Barry Zito (2nd), Justin Verlander (3rd), Kenny Rogers (4th)
MANAGER OF THE YEAR NATIONAL LEAGUE: JOE GIRARDI, FLORIDA MARLINS It's a shame what happened to Girardi. Get stuck with a bunch of rookies, be predicted to win less games than the Kansas City Royals and end up with a 78-84 record then get fired because he strained relations with the front office? Thats gotta blow. Girardi, though, gets the last laugh. He'll be interviewing for jobs left and right and has the Manager of the Year award for 2006 to put on his resume. The Marlins were foolish to let him go, and they'll more than likely regret it. The question is though: How long will Gonzalez last in Florida? SORRY TO: Charlie Manuel (2nd), Grady Little (3rd), Bruce Bochy (4th), Phil Garner (5th), Tony La Russa (6th) AMERICAN LEAGUE: JIM LEYLAND, DETROIT TIGERS In his first year in Florida, he won a World Series. In his first year with Detroit, he almost pulled of the greatest upset: win the division and knock out the White Sox. Part 2 came through, but they didn't win the division. Thats ok though. Mr. Miracle came through and guided the Tigers to their first playoff berth in 19 years and did it while everyone was telling him his team wasn't good enough. Who's laughing now? SORRY TO: Ron Gardenhire (2nd), Ken Macha (3rd) NOT SORRY TO: Joe Torre (30th)
And there you have it folks, your 2006 awards. I only did these three because they are the most important, and the MVP has had a lot of debate behind it this year. So, there you go and I hope you enjoy!
NL MVP still should go to Howard, though I recognize it probably won't. The difference to me is that the Phils had struggled, hovering in the middle of the pack in the Wild Card standings. Then Howard, pretty much single-handedly, brought them back to the cusp of the playoffs. This coming after Abreu was dumped and Burrell was benched as a full-timer. Pujols' Cardinals were the NL Central's front-runner all year, but sputtered horribly down the stretch. You can't really think that Pujols' game-winner in the final winner is reason enough? It shouldn't have come to that for the team or for him.
Your points are well taken sjrri, but like I said, Howard should get the most outstanding player. There is no denying his numbers. He had an awesome season. Even though I am a die hard Cardinal fan, my opinion is not biased. Pujols lifted the Cardinals back into the playoffs. Without him, I doubt the Cardinals would be in the playoffs right now. He single handly stopped a 3rd possible 8 game slide. Gave the team spirit and hope that they can make it into the playoffs. Someone gives out the Most Oustanding player award....it's not MLB, it's someone...can't remember who it is. Howard will also get the Hank Aaron award. One thing Howard needs to face: Pujols. Bonds kept winning MVP when he didn't deserve it and Pujols did, not Pujols is winning it and Howard will have to wait his turn.
I'm 18 and I enjoy baseball, as I'll only write about baseball. I'm a business major at Illinois State and I plan on going into baseball for a career. Hopefully one day, beating Theo Epstein's record as the youngest GM ever. My dream job is being the GM of the St. Louis Cardinals.
MINNESOTA TWINS
did towards the end of the year last year. This year, though, can be blamed on a inconsistent bullpen. Because of that pen, Tony La Russa was forced to leave Carp out there on an empty tank at the end of the year and his numbers suffered. Although, a 15-8 record and 3.09 earned run average is pretty damn good.
go, and they'll more than likely regret it. The question is though: How long will Gonzalez last in Florida?
