The Twins are in an excellent position. They are baseball's hottest team, and they will be heading to the postseason possibly getting a man who has anchored their rotation for many years (Brad Radke) back.
Despite a stress fracture and torn rotator cuff, Radke has battled back to give the Twins one final run. It was evident before the season that this was Radke's farewell tour. His shoulder slowly giving out as Radke said no more surguries. His 9 million may be too much for his direct production, but he is the unquestioned leader of this pitching staff, and acts as a second pitching coach. (It was Radke who taught Johan his devastating change-up). If there was true justice there would be an award somewhere for Radke, but baseball doesn't have an AL "All Team Chemistry" award.
Radke has shown more heart this season than most pitchers show in a career (see Carlos Silva leaving a 1 hitter with an upset stomach). He is penciled in to start thursday. It's a shame he doesn't have 3 starts left this season to get his pitch count up, but it looks as if he will be only built up to 80 pitches by the time the postseason comes around.
Thursday will be an emotional night for Twins fans everywhere. His final regular season start in the metrodome. Ending a career where he endeared himself to fans everywhere despite his propensity to give up first inning home runs.
But this article is not about my borderline obsession with Radke, it's about the AL awards. So without further adui, I bring to you the AL awards.
AL MVP: Justin Morneau. I've been barking up this tree since the Twins run started, and my statement still stands. Justin Morneau has been the biggest bat in the Twins line-up for the entire season. His 30+ home runs are a first since '91, and his RBI totals are amongst the best in the league. But Morneau is not just a HR hitter. He is batting over .325 this season and played stellar defense over at first base.
Other Candidates for this award include Ortiz, Dye and Jeter. Ortiz and Dye are basically disqualified for failing to qualify for the playoffs. Yes there is precident for an MVP from a non-playoff team (A-Rod). But in a season where there are 4 candidates with similar qualifications, playoffs must be a prerequisite. This leaves Jeter. Yes Jeter has been a spark plug for the Yankees, and helped keep the Yankees winning even with Sheffield and Matsui injured. But the Yankees losing two outfielders is barely a chink in the armor. They still have A-Rod, Giambi, Posada, and Robinson Cano.
AL Cy Young: Johan Santana. Johan had some stiff competition from his teammate Liriano before he went down with injury, and Halladay was on his heels up untill a few weeks ago. But Johan has pulled away, and as he closes in on the pitching triple crown, It would be a serious oversight if Johan doesn't win this award for the second time in his career. (really, This should be a 3 peat, #### bartolo Colon)
AL ROY: Justin Verlander. Despite his recent starts, Verlander is one of the biggest reasons the Tigers have won the division. This award lost it's competition as Liriano went down with injury, but there is not a more deserving candidate this year than Verlander. (Despite a strong crop of rookies)
AL Manager of the Year: Ron Gardenhire. Call me a homer, I'm sure some of you already have with my Morneau pick, but no manager can claim what Gardenhire can. He took a team that started out 25-33, 12 games out of first place. He revived the career of Cuddyer (deemed a bust before this season's 100+ RBI performance).
Ron saw 4 outfielders go down with injury in a matter of a few days. (Kubel's knees worsened, Lew Ford out, Torii Hunter stress fracture, Shannon Stewart Plantar Faciatis (season)). Mr. Gardenhire trotted out guys like Jason Tyner, Josh Rabe, Rondell White in the outfield and found production. He turned Nick Punto from an often injured utility man, to a gold glove contending 3rd baseman (Chavez will win it rep alone though). Jason Bartlett went from inept in the field to an adequate fielder and a .300+ hitter.
Gardenhire saw his pitching staff disolve in front of him as Radke was injured, Liriano went down, #### Bonser, Scott Baker and Carlos Silva struggle. Yet the Twins kept finding ways to win.
AL Comeback player of the Year: Frank Thomas. Thomas was counted out long ago, yet his career has been revived in Oakland and has done it with little protection. Thome makes a strong case as well, but his comeback comes being protected by Dye and Konerko, compared to (who the hell protects Thomas anyway?).
There they are folks, the awards the way I see em.
Early Playoff predictions:
Twins - Yankees: Twins win this series in 5. In a 7 game series, it would unquestioningly be the Yankees, but in a 5 game series the Twins must only win 1 game that Johan does not pitch. Personally the Yankees pitching staff doesn't scare me like it did at one point.
A's - Tigers: The Tigers are fading fast, but the A's are everyone's favorite postseason opponent. The Tigers win this one in 4 en route to an all AL Central ALCS.
Twins - Tigers: I believe this is the Tigers year, had Liriano come back healthy the Twins would be unstoppable, but without him they lack a second dominant pitcher. The Twins lose in 7. (Johan undefeated in the playoffs)
Nice mention of Radke...like you said, a big salary...but his leadership and toughness are a huge benefit to this team.
And I'm not one to suggest a pitcher should win an MVP award, but if there is one...it would be this year with Santana. Just absolutely dominating. It was a shame to see Liriano get hurt. But Santana should be a lock for the Cy Young, and may even get MVP consideration.
I agree with pretty much everything you said. My only exception is that I think Leyland will get the Manager of the Year. I agree, Gardenhire has done a remarkable job. However, the Twins are making their 4th post-season appearance in 5 years. The Tigers are the first team in Major League history to go from losing 110+ games to the post-season in 3 years. Most pre-season publications had the Twins as a solid post-season contender. The Tigers were picked as no better than 4th in the division. I agree that Gardenhire was a master at getting the Twins where they are, especially in terms of how he handled unexpected adversity. But, in the big picture, and, taking into account the finish of the Tigers when contrasted with very low pre-season expectations, and, Leyland's effect on the mindset of an organization in his first year, I think Leyland will, and should, win the AL Manager of the Year.
Wisconsin Vik' .... Everything is going the Twins' way and they've made their own luck and not relied on anyone else. Considering how far off the pace they were it says something about the resilience of the team and how well they've played. Shouldd they pass the Tigers and end up winning the Central then all the better. Gardenhire has proved to be what everyone has known for a number of years that he's a great manager and has an astute baseball brain. The players rally around him and he reciprocates likewise.
With the MVP, it always is about big markets, playoffs, and home runs. Morneau may have been the best batter this year, but many don't know who he is, and recognize a name like Jeter much quicker. Unfortunatly he probably won't win it. Santana for Cy Young will probably happen, because he's a total beast.
Shooter: I'm glad somebody else can see the value that guys like Radke provide. There is a total lack of recognition for guys like him. Even my fellow Twins fans were ready to throw him under the bus at the beginning of the season. I'm glad the Twins proved that once again they are loyal to their players by letting him pitch through his shoulder troubles.
Tigerzz: Leyland is a very good candidate for the award, and really either one would be deserving, but niether team was expected to contend this year. This was the Indians/White Sox year... Gardenhire's ability to keep the team focused deserves a lot of credit for their turnaround, moreso than Leyland deserves for say... Shelton's ridiculous start which gave them a quick 15-20 wins...
The Dan... seeing that picture brightens my day every time i see it... we need more hot chicks pictures...
Mr. Hat: Everything really hasn't gone their way this season. The Twins are a poster for resiliancy... despite several injuries to key players, This team reminds me a lot of recent Patriots teams... they overcame several injuries, plugged in rookies at key positions and still found a way to win.
Mr. NFL: These are the awards as I would award them, not how they will be awarded. Jeter will be the MVP because of the media monster that is NY. It's something I've grown to expect, so I'll be initially pissed when he wins the award, but knowing it's inevitable takes some of the sting off.
cant really argue too much with any of these selections...maybe we can classify you as a homer for going with twins personnel so often, but its not like they're not deserving of serious consideration at the very least.
the 1 i'd debate (a little) is the manager of the year...as tiggerzz said, leyland has done an outsanding job in his 1st year with detroit, and the twins have been to the playoffs now 4 out of 5 years.
there could be a debate for comeback player with jim thome as well, but as you said, playoff qualifiers get the benefit of the doubt there.
at the all-star break, i was on the mauer-for-mvp bandwagon, but morneau has convinced me he is the man. it's just sad that the 1 time HR are considered less important, a truly deserving mvp candidate has to suffer so that yet another yankee can win it.
Personally, I'd give the MVP award to Jermaine Dye, but I don't know if he'll get it due to the fact that the White Sox won't make the postseason. And I think Mauer is more deserving than Morneau. In fact, the two may end up splitting the votes with each other.
As for Cy Young, how can you NOT give it to Santana? He may even be worthy of the MVP award! I would definitely rank him at least #3 in the MVP race.
Rookie of the year... I agree with nominating Verlander. Is it just me or are there not that many good rookies in the AL? They all seem to be in the NL on the Florida Marlins.
I sense a Twins theme with your nominations! I do agree though, that Gardenhire should get Manager of the Year over Leyland. There's something to be said for a second-have surge as compared to a second-half slopfest.
Jim Thome is a great candidate for Comeback Player of the Year, and I think he'll get it just because he's a more popular player. I do think Thomas deserves it just a bit more, but the good ol' boy from Indiana will get it.
wisconsin vike, ...... But all the same they're proving with that never say die attitude , it's all about not giving up. If they surpass the Tigers I for one will applaud loudly for such an astonishing feat.
Gardenhire probably won't receive the AL Manager of The Year but he'll be deserving of a mention.
Last edited by tophatal on September 27th at 11:10 PM.
ultra- good point about all the rook's being with the marlins...except maybe ryan zimmerman who has as good a shot as any of them to win it (or better).
the twins are definitely in a unique situation, with mauer and morneau both having huge years, plus santana being hyped somewhat for MVP. i still dont care much for a pitcher winning mvp, as they have their own award (one that position players CANT win). but that gives them 3 guys who will probably get votes and likely cancel each other out of the race.
There are a few more good rookies than you may be aware of... on the Twins roster alone...
SS Jason Bartlett: Started at SS since the Twins released Castro, batted .314 wtih 2 HR and 30 RBI in 312 AB's,
RP Pat Neshek: 4-2 with a 2.31 ERA .8 WHIP nearly unhittable in the early part of the season, his sidearm delivery has confused the hell out of batters
SP #### Bonser: 7-5 4.15 ERA nothing spectacular, but his stats are a tale of 2 seasons... terrible his first time up, but in 4 september start she has posted a 2.2 ERA.
Wisconsin Viking I've dedicated a post to you my man filled with some beauties as you like it ! Post is entitled Wisconsin Viking Delectable Beauties In The House......check it out. Also try my take on porn star Mary Carey who's running for governor of California.
Good take on the AL MVP position. It's a tough choice to make overall as there are several oustanding candidates for the accolade. As I see it , it's a clear cut race between Dye and Ortiz, with obviously the 'boy wonder' in the mix , Derek Jeter.
