MLB 2008 Season
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This just came across the ESPNews ticker (watching Belichick's press conference): Mets Billy Wagner to have elbow surgery-out until 2010.
The Phillies just won the NL East.
No offense to any of their fans here, but I would have to say a resounding "yes" to your question.
Really. If you can say Sizemore MVP, with a straight face, then you would also have to consider Cabrera from Detroit. He may win the HR and RBI crowns this season. If Pedroia continues on his pace, i would call him a likely contender, along with K-Rod (Angels).
And it was a grand slam to boot:
DETROIT -- Gary Sheffield's second home run of the night -- a grand slam -- was the 250,000th hit in major league history and the Detroit Tigers beat the Oakland Athletics 14-8 on Monday night.
Sheffield drove in five runs, including his 13th career grand slam.
Magglio Ordonez, Miguel Cabrera and Mike Hessman also went deep for the Tigers, who won their third straight.
Rajai Davis and Jack Hannahan each drove in two runs for Oakland, which has lost five of seven.
Both starting pitchers struggled. Zach Miner of the Tigers gave up eight runs and 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings, and rookie Gio Gonzalez (1-4) allowed a career-high nine runs -- eight earned -- and five hits in 1 2/3 innings. Gonzalez hit two batters and walked two.
In his first seven starts, Gonzalez has lasted more than five innings just once.
Reliever Casey Fossum (3-1) got the win for the Tigers, pitching 2 2/3 hitless innings.
AL Rookie of the Year
THE FAVORITES
Evan Longoria, Rays: Before his first big league at-bat, he sparked controversy by being farmed out for the start of the season. Twenty at-bats into his big league life, he signed a six-year, $17.5 million contract. Since, he has hit 22 homers, tops among AL rookies, and driven in 71 runs.
Tampa Bay has never had the league's top rookie, even though Rocco Baldelli and Delmon Young, for two, had arguably better rookie seasons. But neither did it in a pennant race. And that counts for a lot.
Alexei Ramirez, White Sox: He is the purest definition of "rookie," playing in the middle of the infield for a contender in his first season not only in the Majors, but in organized ball.
The 27-year-old Cuban refugee caught fire since dragging a .218 average on May 29; five weeks later he had it above .300, and has kept it there ever since. His 16 homers and 64 RBIs rank high among all AL second basemen.
THE CONTENDERS
Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox: Some may have trouble thinking of him as a rookie, given his impact last September and October. But he is, and besides scoring 80 runs, by mid-June he had smashed the century-old Boston rookie record for stolen bases (he's at 44 and counting).
Armando Galarraga, Tigers: There has been no particular reason to keep an eye on the disappointing Tigers, but the 26-year-old Venezuelan right-hander's breakthrough should not be ignored. His 12 wins top Detroit's rotation, in which he also is the only one with a winning record.
THE DARK HORSES
David Murphy, Rangers: Maybe the best new talent you have never heard of (if you don't live by the Gulf, that is). His 74 RBIs top all AL rookies, and the Texas native with the sweet left-handed stroke has 46 extra-base hits.
Joey Ziegler, A's: Or, Brad Devine. Who? Just our way of ensuring that both Brad Ziegler and Joey Devine get their due. The two righties have been a ridiculous force in Oakland's bullpen, combining for an 0.62 ERA and a .178 opponents average in 70 appearances and 86 2/3 innings. Between them, they have faced 321 batters, and neither has allowed a home run. But, alas, setup relievers never win this award. THE FIELD: Jesse Carlson, Blue Jays; Mike Aviles, Royals; Jose Arredondo, Angels; Jim Johnson, Orioles; Glen Perkins, Twins.
THE FAVORITES
Evan Longoria, Rays: Before his first big league at-bat, he sparked controversy by being farmed out for the start of the season. Twenty at-bats into his big league life, he signed a six-year, $17.5 million contract. Since, he has hit 22 homers, tops among AL rookies, and driven in 71 runs.
Tampa Bay has never had the league's top rookie, even though Rocco Baldelli and Delmon Young, for two, had arguably better rookie seasons. But neither did it in a pennant race. And that counts for a lot.
Alexei Ramirez, White Sox: He is the purest definition of "rookie," playing in the middle of the infield for a contender in his first season not only in the Majors, but in organized ball.
The 27-year-old Cuban refugee caught fire since dragging a .218 average on May 29; five weeks later he had it above .300, and has kept it there ever since. His 16 homers and 64 RBIs rank high among all AL second basemen.
THE CONTENDERS
Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox: Some may have trouble thinking of him as a rookie, given his impact last September and October. But he is, and besides scoring 80 runs, by mid-June he had smashed the century-old Boston rookie record for stolen bases (he's at 44 and counting).
Armando Galarraga, Tigers: There has been no particular reason to keep an eye on the disappointing Tigers, but the 26-year-old Venezuelan right-hander's breakthrough should not be ignored. His 12 wins top Detroit's rotation, in which he also is the only one with a winning record.
THE DARK HORSES
David Murphy, Rangers: Maybe the best new talent you have never heard of (if you don't live by the Gulf, that is). His 74 RBIs top all AL rookies, and the Texas native with the sweet left-handed stroke has 46 extra-base hits.
Joey Ziegler, A's: Or, Brad Devine. Who? Just our way of ensuring that both Brad Ziegler and Joey Devine get their due. The two righties have been a ridiculous force in Oakland's bullpen, combining for an 0.62 ERA and a .178 opponents average in 70 appearances and 86 2/3 innings. Between them, they have faced 321 batters, and neither has allowed a home run. But, alas, setup relievers never win this award. THE FIELD: Jesse Carlson, Blue Jays; Mike Aviles, Royals; Jose Arredondo, Angels; Jim Johnson, Orioles; Glen Perkins, Twins.
NL Rookie of the Year
THE FAVORITES
Geovany Soto, Cubs: The 25-year-old has been instrumental in the Cubs' success and most of his statistics (.290 batting average, 21 home runs, 80 RBIs, .877 OPS) stack up well in comparison to some of the other candidates.
Jair Jurrjens, Braves: Atlanta's pitching staff has been a disappointment, but Jurrjens has been a bright spot. The 22-year-old right-hander is 12-9 with a 3.54 ERA through 28 starts and is the only NL rookie among the top 30 in the league in ERA, wins, innings and strikeouts.
THE DARK HORSES
Kosuke Fukudome, Cubs: Two months into the season, Fukudome was a front-runner for the award, but after his fast start, he has cooled off considerably. He also trails teammate Soto in most statistical categories. Fukudome, however, leads NL rookies with 74 runs scored. He also has 11 stolen bases and has played outstanding defense in right field. With a fast finish, Fukudome could perhaps push his way back into top-of-the-ballot status.
Hiroki Kuroda, Dodgers: The 33-year-old is two games under .500 (8-10), but has a 3.96 ERA over 27 starts (161 innings) and two complete games to help the Dodgers stay in contention in the NL West.
Joey Votto, Reds: Votto (.292, 18, 70, .837) has shown why the Reds think so highly of the 24-year-old first baseman. Tabbed as a future All-Star by some, Votto is having a fine season. He is also above-average defensively and should give the Reds stability at the position for many years.
HONORABLE MENTION Brian Barton, Cardinals; Gregor Blanco, Braves; Jay Bruce, Reds; Jorge Campillo, Braves; Johnny Cueto, Reds; Blake DeWitt, Dodgers; Edgar Gonzalez, Padres; John Lannan, Nationals; Kyle McClellan, Cardinals; Chris Perez, Cardinals; Jeff Samardzija, Cubs; Ian Stewart, Rockies; Wesley Wright, Houston
THE FAVORITES
Geovany Soto, Cubs: The 25-year-old has been instrumental in the Cubs' success and most of his statistics (.290 batting average, 21 home runs, 80 RBIs, .877 OPS) stack up well in comparison to some of the other candidates.
Jair Jurrjens, Braves: Atlanta's pitching staff has been a disappointment, but Jurrjens has been a bright spot. The 22-year-old right-hander is 12-9 with a 3.54 ERA through 28 starts and is the only NL rookie among the top 30 in the league in ERA, wins, innings and strikeouts.
THE DARK HORSES
Kosuke Fukudome, Cubs: Two months into the season, Fukudome was a front-runner for the award, but after his fast start, he has cooled off considerably. He also trails teammate Soto in most statistical categories. Fukudome, however, leads NL rookies with 74 runs scored. He also has 11 stolen bases and has played outstanding defense in right field. With a fast finish, Fukudome could perhaps push his way back into top-of-the-ballot status.
Hiroki Kuroda, Dodgers: The 33-year-old is two games under .500 (8-10), but has a 3.96 ERA over 27 starts (161 innings) and two complete games to help the Dodgers stay in contention in the NL West.
Joey Votto, Reds: Votto (.292, 18, 70, .837) has shown why the Reds think so highly of the 24-year-old first baseman. Tabbed as a future All-Star by some, Votto is having a fine season. He is also above-average defensively and should give the Reds stability at the position for many years.
HONORABLE MENTION Brian Barton, Cardinals; Gregor Blanco, Braves; Jay Bruce, Reds; Jorge Campillo, Braves; Johnny Cueto, Reds; Blake DeWitt, Dodgers; Edgar Gonzalez, Padres; John Lannan, Nationals; Kyle McClellan, Cardinals; Chris Perez, Cardinals; Jeff Samardzija, Cubs; Ian Stewart, Rockies; Wesley Wright, Houston
AL Cy Young Award
THE FAVORITE
Cliff Lee, Indians: The 30-year-old left-hander didn't have a breakthrough so much as a break-back. Three seasons ago, Lee also led the AL with a .783 winning percentage while finishing fourth in Cy Young voting.
His woes -- some health, mostly mechanical -- since that 2005 peak merely underscore his astounding return to dominance.
From day one, when on April 6 he held the A's without an earned run for 6 2/3 innings in his first start after breaking camp on the fringes of the Cleveland rotation, Lee has been on.
He has been untouchable, allowing five or fewer hits in seven starts. He has been flawless, issuing no walks in 10 starts, and only one in 10 others. He has been clockwork consistent, going at least seven innings in 18 starts.
And don't even talk about quality starts: 22 of Lee's 28 qualify, impressive whether or not you buy the idea that going at least six without surrendering more than three earned runs is an acceptable definition of "quality."
Perhaps the most unsettling thing about the position in which Lee finds himself is this: It would now be an upset if he didn't give Cleveland consecutive Cy Young winners a year after CC Sabathia had become the first Tribe pitcher to cop the award since Gaylord Perry in 1972.
THE CONTENDERS
Daisuke Matsuzaka, Red Sox: A year removed from the buzz of his Major League entry, Dice-K was expected to make second-season adjustments, but he has turned it into an art form. With only three weeks to go, he has shaved more than a run and a half off his ERA, has allowed 80 fewer hits and has served up 40 percent as many homers (10 vs. 25).
Despite a perception that Matsuzaka is carried by the Boston offense, his ERA (2.88) ranks third in the league. He has pitched into the seventh inning on a yield of two runs or fewer 10 times. The Sox's 21-4 record in his starts compares favorably with Cleveland's 22-6 mark in those of Lee.
Francisco Rodriguez, Angels: Despite the debate whether he is a better-suited candidate for the MVP award, K-Rod will receive Cy Young votes, just as he did when he finished fourth in 2004 and 2006.
Rodriguez is two saves shy of the season-season record of 57 set by Bobby Thigpen in 1990. Opponents are hitting .207 against him.
Roy Halladay, Blue Jays: In just about any other season, the AL's marathon man would be a front-runner for his second Cy Young. When the Doc is in, he stays in: His eight complete games are the most of anyone in the league since 2003, and more than the totals of 27 teams this season.
Stamina is hardly the only thing going for Halladay. A routine finish would land him in the 20-win circle for the second time, and he's only a few Lee hanging curveballs from taking over the ERA lead. But that precisely is Halladay's obstacle: he can't win it; only Lee can lose it.
THE DARK HORSES
Ervin Santana, Angels: He and Lee must have the same biorhythm. A season after pitching so poorly he had to be returned to the Minors for a month, Santana has reduced his ERA by 2 1/2 runs and is second in the league in strikeouts.
The 25-year-old righty hasn't been just valuable but invaluable to the Angels: He gave them wings with his 6-0 start while both John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar (who never did pick up a ball) were injured.
Mike Mussina, Yankees: The only guy around who walks even fewer batters than Lee, who is becoming legendary for his control. Getting the three wins he needs to reach 20 for the first time -- at 39 and in his 18th season -- would be a stunning achievement that could swing the sentimental vote in Moose's favor. Getting 20 wins, however, is the only way he would have a bona fide shot. He has obviously towered over an otherwise depressed rotation -- but Lee has that vote locked up, too.
THE FAVORITE
Cliff Lee, Indians: The 30-year-old left-hander didn't have a breakthrough so much as a break-back. Three seasons ago, Lee also led the AL with a .783 winning percentage while finishing fourth in Cy Young voting.
His woes -- some health, mostly mechanical -- since that 2005 peak merely underscore his astounding return to dominance.
From day one, when on April 6 he held the A's without an earned run for 6 2/3 innings in his first start after breaking camp on the fringes of the Cleveland rotation, Lee has been on.
He has been untouchable, allowing five or fewer hits in seven starts. He has been flawless, issuing no walks in 10 starts, and only one in 10 others. He has been clockwork consistent, going at least seven innings in 18 starts.
And don't even talk about quality starts: 22 of Lee's 28 qualify, impressive whether or not you buy the idea that going at least six without surrendering more than three earned runs is an acceptable definition of "quality."
Perhaps the most unsettling thing about the position in which Lee finds himself is this: It would now be an upset if he didn't give Cleveland consecutive Cy Young winners a year after CC Sabathia had become the first Tribe pitcher to cop the award since Gaylord Perry in 1972.
THE CONTENDERS
Daisuke Matsuzaka, Red Sox: A year removed from the buzz of his Major League entry, Dice-K was expected to make second-season adjustments, but he has turned it into an art form. With only three weeks to go, he has shaved more than a run and a half off his ERA, has allowed 80 fewer hits and has served up 40 percent as many homers (10 vs. 25).
Despite a perception that Matsuzaka is carried by the Boston offense, his ERA (2.88) ranks third in the league. He has pitched into the seventh inning on a yield of two runs or fewer 10 times. The Sox's 21-4 record in his starts compares favorably with Cleveland's 22-6 mark in those of Lee.
Francisco Rodriguez, Angels: Despite the debate whether he is a better-suited candidate for the MVP award, K-Rod will receive Cy Young votes, just as he did when he finished fourth in 2004 and 2006.
Rodriguez is two saves shy of the season-season record of 57 set by Bobby Thigpen in 1990. Opponents are hitting .207 against him.
Roy Halladay, Blue Jays: In just about any other season, the AL's marathon man would be a front-runner for his second Cy Young. When the Doc is in, he stays in: His eight complete games are the most of anyone in the league since 2003, and more than the totals of 27 teams this season.
Stamina is hardly the only thing going for Halladay. A routine finish would land him in the 20-win circle for the second time, and he's only a few Lee hanging curveballs from taking over the ERA lead. But that precisely is Halladay's obstacle: he can't win it; only Lee can lose it.
THE DARK HORSES
Ervin Santana, Angels: He and Lee must have the same biorhythm. A season after pitching so poorly he had to be returned to the Minors for a month, Santana has reduced his ERA by 2 1/2 runs and is second in the league in strikeouts.
The 25-year-old righty hasn't been just valuable but invaluable to the Angels: He gave them wings with his 6-0 start while both John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar (who never did pick up a ball) were injured.
Mike Mussina, Yankees: The only guy around who walks even fewer batters than Lee, who is becoming legendary for his control. Getting the three wins he needs to reach 20 for the first time -- at 39 and in his 18th season -- would be a stunning achievement that could swing the sentimental vote in Moose's favor. Getting 20 wins, however, is the only way he would have a bona fide shot. He has obviously towered over an otherwise depressed rotation -- but Lee has that vote locked up, too.
NL Cy Young Award
THE FAVORITES
Ryan Dempster, Cubs: The veteran right-hander ranks among the top five in the league in wins and ERA (15-6, 2.99) and leads the league in opponents' batting average (.221). Any way you care to measure his performance, Dempster has been award worthy, and crucial to the Cubs' rise to the top of the NL Central Division. And with Carlos Zambrano's recent setbacks, there is no doubt Dempster is clearly the No. 1 Cy Young candidate on the Cubbies.
Tim Lincecum, Giants: He's 16-3 with an NL-best 2.54 ERA and a Major League-leading 225 strikeouts, numbers that put him in striking distance for pitching's Triple Crown. Opponents are batting .223 against Lincecum, the second-best figure in the league behind Dempster (.221). Nit-pickers point to Lincecum's lack of complete games, but this guy's numbers alone for a sub-.500 team should keep him in serious contention.
Edinson Volquez, Reds: They gave up Josh Hamilton to get Volquez, and the Reds would do it again in a heartbeat. The youngster is currently tied with Colorado's Aaron Cook and San Francisco's Tim Lincecum with the second-most wins in the league (16). Volquez is second in winning percentage and is eighth in ERA (3.23) and third in strikeouts (184). His numbers are certainly Cy worthy, especially considering the Reds' season. But will enough voters be convinced?
Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks: Despite a recent slump, Webb is 19-7 with a 3.41 ERA. He leads the NL in wins and is among the top 10 in WHIP (ninth), ERA (ninth), innings (fourth), strikeouts (eighth) and winning percentage (third). Arguably a hands-down favorite for the award a month ago, Webb has lost his last three attempts to get that elusive 20th win and could slip in the voters' eyes unless he turns it around soon.
THE DARK HORSES
Brad Lidge, Phillies: Closers historically have had a very difficult -- though not impossible -- task in winning over Cy Young Award voters. The few who have managed to win the hardware did so with not just career years, they did it with the kind of record-setting seasons that were simply too outstanding to ignore, like Eric Gagne's 55-save season for the Dodgers in 2003. Lidge, 2-0 with a 2.11 ERA, is 35-for-35 in save opportunities, and if he remains perfect for the contending Phillies, the right-hander's Cy Young campaign could gain momentum.
CC Sabathia, Brewers: Speaking of perfection, Sabathia is 9-0 with a 1.42 ERA in 12 starts since the Brewers acquired him in July from Cleveland. Without Sabathia, the Brewers probably wouldn't be enjoying their three-game lead in the Wild Card standings. And yet it is hard to envision Sabathia winning the award on less than three months work, however spectacular the performance. But it's certainly possible, especially if some of the other candidates stumble in September.
HONORABLE MENTION Aaron Cook, Rockies; Chad Billingsley, Dodgers; Cole Hamels, Phillies; Dan Haren, Diamondbacks; Ricky Nolasco, Marlins; Roy Oswalt, Astros; Johan Santana, Mets; Ben Sheets, Brewers; Carlos Zambrano, Cubs.
THE FAVORITES
Ryan Dempster, Cubs: The veteran right-hander ranks among the top five in the league in wins and ERA (15-6, 2.99) and leads the league in opponents' batting average (.221). Any way you care to measure his performance, Dempster has been award worthy, and crucial to the Cubs' rise to the top of the NL Central Division. And with Carlos Zambrano's recent setbacks, there is no doubt Dempster is clearly the No. 1 Cy Young candidate on the Cubbies.
Tim Lincecum, Giants: He's 16-3 with an NL-best 2.54 ERA and a Major League-leading 225 strikeouts, numbers that put him in striking distance for pitching's Triple Crown. Opponents are batting .223 against Lincecum, the second-best figure in the league behind Dempster (.221). Nit-pickers point to Lincecum's lack of complete games, but this guy's numbers alone for a sub-.500 team should keep him in serious contention.
Edinson Volquez, Reds: They gave up Josh Hamilton to get Volquez, and the Reds would do it again in a heartbeat. The youngster is currently tied with Colorado's Aaron Cook and San Francisco's Tim Lincecum with the second-most wins in the league (16). Volquez is second in winning percentage and is eighth in ERA (3.23) and third in strikeouts (184). His numbers are certainly Cy worthy, especially considering the Reds' season. But will enough voters be convinced?
Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks: Despite a recent slump, Webb is 19-7 with a 3.41 ERA. He leads the NL in wins and is among the top 10 in WHIP (ninth), ERA (ninth), innings (fourth), strikeouts (eighth) and winning percentage (third). Arguably a hands-down favorite for the award a month ago, Webb has lost his last three attempts to get that elusive 20th win and could slip in the voters' eyes unless he turns it around soon.
THE DARK HORSES
Brad Lidge, Phillies: Closers historically have had a very difficult -- though not impossible -- task in winning over Cy Young Award voters. The few who have managed to win the hardware did so with not just career years, they did it with the kind of record-setting seasons that were simply too outstanding to ignore, like Eric Gagne's 55-save season for the Dodgers in 2003. Lidge, 2-0 with a 2.11 ERA, is 35-for-35 in save opportunities, and if he remains perfect for the contending Phillies, the right-hander's Cy Young campaign could gain momentum.
CC Sabathia, Brewers: Speaking of perfection, Sabathia is 9-0 with a 1.42 ERA in 12 starts since the Brewers acquired him in July from Cleveland. Without Sabathia, the Brewers probably wouldn't be enjoying their three-game lead in the Wild Card standings. And yet it is hard to envision Sabathia winning the award on less than three months work, however spectacular the performance. But it's certainly possible, especially if some of the other candidates stumble in September.
HONORABLE MENTION Aaron Cook, Rockies; Chad Billingsley, Dodgers; Cole Hamels, Phillies; Dan Haren, Diamondbacks; Ricky Nolasco, Marlins; Roy Oswalt, Astros; Johan Santana, Mets; Ben Sheets, Brewers; Carlos Zambrano, Cubs.
AL Manager of the Year
THE FAVORITE
Joe Maddon, Rays: With apologies to the late Bill Walsh, Maddon lit a fire under the Rays with his own version of the West Coast Offense. He has flattered the Angels, his previous employer as bench coach, by imitating their aggressive style, especially on the basepaths.
In addition to nearing a postseason berth -- their hold on the division lead may have slipped, but the fallback is a huge Wild Card edge with only 19 games left -- the Rays have already eclipsed last season's attendance at Tropicana Field by more than 200,000.
How far has Maddon brought them? Lou Piniella got 13 points in Manager of the Year balloting in '03 -- for guiding them to a record of 63-99. After all, that was an improvement of eight games over the previous season.
Maddon should break the East's slump in this award. The last manager of an AL East club to take it was Jimy Williams, in '99 with the Red Sox.
THE CONTENDERS
Mike Scioscia, Angels: One of Scioscia's claims to infamy as a player is having been the catcher on the '88 Dodgers, who took out Oakland in the Fall Classic after being introduced on TV as "perhaps the worst World Series team ever."
What goes around ... the Angels are "perhaps the worst runaway team ever." Any given lineup includes batting averages such as .192, .237, .l93 and .183. No one has more than 24 homers or more than 82 RBIs -- only Toronto has lower team-leading numbers in the AL. As a team, they rank in the league's bottom half in most departments.
The neutralizing factor (besides obviously superior pitching) is Scioscia's creativity, daring and checkered flag -- he extolls his players to run the opposition into mistakes. The Angels create more runs than any other team in the Majors, and the proof of their manager's impact is in the standings.
Ron Gardenhire, Twins: They have fewer household names but more wins than they did last season. The withstood departures of Johan Santana, Torii Hunter, Carlos Silva and Matt Garza have been recited ad nauseam, but repetition does not lessen the wonder of this team, which is chasing the White Sox to the AL Central wire.
It is, of course, the doing of Gardenhire, who is more at ease with a team of gamers ("piranhas," in Twins-speak) than with headliners. They give him a blank canvas which he can fashion into a true team, which is what he has done again.
THE DARK HORSES
Terry Francona, Red Sox: His players adore him, and he has outlasted the Yankees, which is worth big points in The Nation. But the truth is, no manager of a defending World Series champion has ever taken this award (see paragraph No. 1).
Cito Gaston, Blue Jays: There's precedent for midseason replacements who engineer turnarounds (Jack McKeon won the NL award with the '03 Marlins, and the Mets' Jerry Manuel could get serious consideration this year in the National League). But the prodigal son returned in too deep a hole for even his own 42-27 record since June 20 to have much impact.
THE FAVORITE
Joe Maddon, Rays: With apologies to the late Bill Walsh, Maddon lit a fire under the Rays with his own version of the West Coast Offense. He has flattered the Angels, his previous employer as bench coach, by imitating their aggressive style, especially on the basepaths.
In addition to nearing a postseason berth -- their hold on the division lead may have slipped, but the fallback is a huge Wild Card edge with only 19 games left -- the Rays have already eclipsed last season's attendance at Tropicana Field by more than 200,000.
How far has Maddon brought them? Lou Piniella got 13 points in Manager of the Year balloting in '03 -- for guiding them to a record of 63-99. After all, that was an improvement of eight games over the previous season.
Maddon should break the East's slump in this award. The last manager of an AL East club to take it was Jimy Williams, in '99 with the Red Sox.
THE CONTENDERS
Mike Scioscia, Angels: One of Scioscia's claims to infamy as a player is having been the catcher on the '88 Dodgers, who took out Oakland in the Fall Classic after being introduced on TV as "perhaps the worst World Series team ever."
What goes around ... the Angels are "perhaps the worst runaway team ever." Any given lineup includes batting averages such as .192, .237, .l93 and .183. No one has more than 24 homers or more than 82 RBIs -- only Toronto has lower team-leading numbers in the AL. As a team, they rank in the league's bottom half in most departments.
The neutralizing factor (besides obviously superior pitching) is Scioscia's creativity, daring and checkered flag -- he extolls his players to run the opposition into mistakes. The Angels create more runs than any other team in the Majors, and the proof of their manager's impact is in the standings.
Ron Gardenhire, Twins: They have fewer household names but more wins than they did last season. The withstood departures of Johan Santana, Torii Hunter, Carlos Silva and Matt Garza have been recited ad nauseam, but repetition does not lessen the wonder of this team, which is chasing the White Sox to the AL Central wire.
It is, of course, the doing of Gardenhire, who is more at ease with a team of gamers ("piranhas," in Twins-speak) than with headliners. They give him a blank canvas which he can fashion into a true team, which is what he has done again.
THE DARK HORSES
Terry Francona, Red Sox: His players adore him, and he has outlasted the Yankees, which is worth big points in The Nation. But the truth is, no manager of a defending World Series champion has ever taken this award (see paragraph No. 1).
Cito Gaston, Blue Jays: There's precedent for midseason replacements who engineer turnarounds (Jack McKeon won the NL award with the '03 Marlins, and the Mets' Jerry Manuel could get serious consideration this year in the National League). But the prodigal son returned in too deep a hole for even his own 42-27 record since June 20 to have much impact.
NL Manager of the Year
THE FAVORITES
Tony La Russa, Cardinals: The Cardinals lost 2007 mainstays Scott Rolen, Jim Edmonds and David Eckstein. They lost starters Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright and Mark Mulder, and closer Jason Isringhausen to the disabled list for significant portions of the season -- in fact, St. Louis players have spent a combined 500-plus games on the DL.
They went with a converted pitcher as their center fielder, a journeyman as their right fielder and a rookie as their closer. Few gave the Cards much of a chance in the spring, but despite so many losses, they're still a winning team, 10 games over .500 and in the playoff hunt. A lot of the credit must go to La Russa.
Jerry Manuel, Mets: When Manuel took over after Willie Randolph was dismissed, the Mets were a game under .500 and in third place, 6 1/2 games back in the NL East. Since then the Mets have gone 45-27 (a .625 winning percentage entering play on Tuesday) to move into first place. If the Mets hold on, Manuel has a shot, though historically, it is difficult for a manager to win the award based on roughly a half-season. In 2004, Phil Garner took over the Astros at the break and led the team to a 48-26 finish, a .649 winning percentage. Garner received two first-place votes that season but finished fourth in the balloting.
Lou Piniella, Cubs: Piniella has done an outstanding job keeping the Cubs on an even keel and navigating the inevitable problems that every manager must face at one time or another during the course of a season. The Cubs didn't fold when Alfonso Soriano went on the disabled list, and they have managed to hold on to the best record in the NL in arguably the toughest division in baseball.
THE DARK HORSES
Charlie Manuel, Phillies: If the Phillies win back-to-back NL East titles, it wouldn't be a shocker to see support for Manuel grow, and he's hit the voting board higher in each of the last three seasons. Manuel finished second last year to Bob Melvin of the Diamondbacks, fifth in 2006 and sixth in 2005. With the exception of Atlanta's Bobby Cox, the last manager to pilot a team to back-to-back NL East crowns was Jim Leyland, with Pittsburgh in 1991 and 1992.
Ned Yost, Brewers: His team's September struggles aren't helping, but if the Brewers hold on for their first playoff spot in 26 years, Yost's chances will get a boost. HONORABLE MENTION
Fredi Gonzalez, Marlins; Melvin; Joe Torre, Dodgers.
THE FAVORITES
Tony La Russa, Cardinals: The Cardinals lost 2007 mainstays Scott Rolen, Jim Edmonds and David Eckstein. They lost starters Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright and Mark Mulder, and closer Jason Isringhausen to the disabled list for significant portions of the season -- in fact, St. Louis players have spent a combined 500-plus games on the DL.
They went with a converted pitcher as their center fielder, a journeyman as their right fielder and a rookie as their closer. Few gave the Cards much of a chance in the spring, but despite so many losses, they're still a winning team, 10 games over .500 and in the playoff hunt. A lot of the credit must go to La Russa.
Jerry Manuel, Mets: When Manuel took over after Willie Randolph was dismissed, the Mets were a game under .500 and in third place, 6 1/2 games back in the NL East. Since then the Mets have gone 45-27 (a .625 winning percentage entering play on Tuesday) to move into first place. If the Mets hold on, Manuel has a shot, though historically, it is difficult for a manager to win the award based on roughly a half-season. In 2004, Phil Garner took over the Astros at the break and led the team to a 48-26 finish, a .649 winning percentage. Garner received two first-place votes that season but finished fourth in the balloting.
Lou Piniella, Cubs: Piniella has done an outstanding job keeping the Cubs on an even keel and navigating the inevitable problems that every manager must face at one time or another during the course of a season. The Cubs didn't fold when Alfonso Soriano went on the disabled list, and they have managed to hold on to the best record in the NL in arguably the toughest division in baseball.
THE DARK HORSES
Charlie Manuel, Phillies: If the Phillies win back-to-back NL East titles, it wouldn't be a shocker to see support for Manuel grow, and he's hit the voting board higher in each of the last three seasons. Manuel finished second last year to Bob Melvin of the Diamondbacks, fifth in 2006 and sixth in 2005. With the exception of Atlanta's Bobby Cox, the last manager to pilot a team to back-to-back NL East crowns was Jim Leyland, with Pittsburgh in 1991 and 1992.
Ned Yost, Brewers: His team's September struggles aren't helping, but if the Brewers hold on for their first playoff spot in 26 years, Yost's chances will get a boost. HONORABLE MENTION
Fredi Gonzalez, Marlins; Melvin; Joe Torre, Dodgers.
NL Manager
IF the Dodgers make it to the playoffs, it's Torre's. He once again has molded a bunch of misfits into coming togetehr at just the right time. I HATE the Dodgers, but my love and respect for Joe runs very deep.
IF the Dodgers make it to the playoffs, it's Torre's. He once again has molded a bunch of misfits into coming togetehr at just the right time. I HATE the Dodgers, but my love and respect for Joe runs very deep.
AL Manager
Win or lose to get into the playoffs, HANDS DOWN it is Joe Maddon. He has taken this bunch of sandlot losers and molded them into a team that will be one to be recond with for years to come. BRAVO! BRAVO! JOE.
Win or lose to get into the playoffs, HANDS DOWN it is Joe Maddon. He has taken this bunch of sandlot losers and molded them into a team that will be one to be recond with for years to come. BRAVO! BRAVO! JOE.
The Blue Jays and Astros have been on hot streaks as of lately.
Who has a better chance of pulling off a miracle and getting into the postseason?
Who has a better chance of pulling off a miracle and getting into the postseason?
I think the Blue Jays are a better team than the Astros, but I like the Astros chances better because they play in the NL.
