File :-(, x, )
Kilgamayan !2BklmILFiE
One hour to go.
>> HKK !h7MHU9L/Oo
Just wait, they'll give it to fucking K-Rod or Morneau.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>Discussion of Most Valuable Player
>K-Rod

Not aiming at you>>476210but the fact that he's in it at all makes me fuckin RAGE
>> HKK !h7MHU9L/Oo
>>476217

I just find it funny that Milton Bradley and his incredible production probably won't finish in the top ten while K-Rod might even win it.
>> Anonymous
>>476217
>>476220
Agreed. K-Rod isn't even MVP of the Angels. If he wins, that shit is sad.
>> HKK !h7MHU9L/Oo
>>476230

I'd probably give Teixeria MVP for the Angels. Nobody else on the team produced offensively. Although, Santana and Saunders were pretty good.
>> Anonymous
The Angels weren't a very good team until Texeira showed up.
>> Kilgamayan !2BklmILFiE
Pedroia wins.

\o/
>> HKK !h7MHU9L/Oo
>>476266

He wasn't even the best player on his own team this year...
>> HKK !h7MHU9L/Oo
http://www.baseballwriters.org/awards/2008/2008_AL_mvp.html

Markakis didn't appear on a single ballot. Award officially meaningless.
>> Chocolate Hitler !!WCFvcOo5Pka
>>476256
Protip: The Angels weren't a very good team even after Teixeira showed up.
>> Kilgamayan !2BklmILFiE
>>476267

WARP1 disagrees.

But I know how much you hate replacement player stats, so we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.
>> Kilgamayan !2BklmILFiE
>>476267cont'd

And honestly, I didn't care which of them got it, as long as one of them did.

I might be a saberfag, but I'm a Soxfag first and a saberfag second.
>> How It Should Have Gone HKK !h7MHU9L/Oo
1. Cliff Lee, CLE - 223.3 IP, 22-3, 2.54 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 170 K's

This can't possibly look right but Cliff Lee is the American League MVP. I spent hours crunching numbers and debating over the best hitter but really, nobody stands out. Nobody in the American League dominated at the plate or put up consistently great numbers across the board. However, Cliff Lee dominated at the mound. I have a tough time believing he'll be able to keep this up for next year and beyond but for this year he was truly outstanding. He lead the American League in ERA, finished second in WHIP and also lead in Wins and Win-Loss Percentage. I'm not a big fan of Wins because how much it depends on run support but there's no denying Lee importance to the Indians. His .880 Win-Loss Percentage is the fourth highest in history among AL lefties in a single season. In a year where American League hitters struggled to dominate, Lee hit a groove in April and didn't stop until the season ended.

2. Milton Bradley, TEX - 509 PA, .321 BA, .436 OBP, .563 SLG, 163 OPS+, 106 RC

Where in the fuck did this come from? Milton Bradley had never come close to leading either league in any categories during his numerous road stops and suddenly he finishes in the top four for batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage in the AL. He actually lead in OBP along with OPS and OPS+. This doesn't make any sense. Bradley has been an average player his entire career and suddenly he's putting up Chipper Jones numbers. Regardless, I have to put him second on my ballot because he was the best hitter in the American League this season. I know the 509 PA are kind of low for someone this high but like I said before, the AL was very mediocre this year when it came to elite production. If he can keep this kind of production up, the Rangers are going to be an offensive force over the next few years.
>> Commissioner Red !5gFoSxriW2
My blood pressure went from 105/70 to 155/100 when I heard this.

Fuck the writers.
>> HKK !h7MHU9L/Oo
3. Alex Rodriguez, NYY - 594 PA, .302 BA, .392 OBP, .573 SLG, 150 OPS+, 116 RC

We all know my problems with A-Rod and why I'm not as high on him as others but it doesn't change the fact he's an elite player. He came back to earth after his incredible 2007 season but this was to be expected. I have a hard time putting A-Rod this high because of how mediocre and sometimes terrible he preformed in the clutch (.264 BA with 2 outs, RISP, .790 OPS Late & Close, virtually no basic production in the 8th and 9th innings) but he did have a very good year as a whole. He only the lead the AL in one category, slugging percentage, but did finish in the top ten for several others. A-Rod actually had a better year than the last time he was coming off an MVP season, which shows he's starting to become more consistent year-to-year.

4. Josh Hamilton, TEX - 704 PA, .304 BA, .371 OBP, .530 SLG, 136 OPS+, 128 RC

If you think about it, this was basically Josh Hamilton's rookie year. It was his first season in the American League after making only 337 PA for the Reds last year. If this is the type of damage he was able to do in his first full season in Major League Baseball against unfamiliar pitchers in unfamiliar ballparks, I shudder to think what he'll be able to do in the long run. He's not an elite player like Pujols, Manny or A-Rod, yet. He lead the AL in RBI and Total Bases, and while I think those can be misleading stats, it's incredibly impressive for someone in his situation. He finished in the top ten for SLG, OPS, OPS+, Runs Created, Hits, Home Runs, Extra-Base Hits and Times On Base which again, for someone playing their first full season in MLB is outstanding. The sky's the limit for Josh Hamilton and he's going to have a lot of protection in that Rangers line-up over the next few years. Baseball has needed a hero and a face after the steroid cloud of Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire, Josh Hamilton is going to be that guy.
>> HKK !h7MHU9L/Oo
5. Joe Mauer, MIN - 633 PA, .328 BA, .413 OBP, .451 SLG, 137 OPS+, 101 RC

When people talk about the best hitters in the game, Joe Mauer's name is forgotten far too often. Two batting titles in three years for Mauer, something that no other catcher in history can say. People also seem to forget how good he is in the field. BIS Video Scout (http://fieldingbible.com) ranked him as the fourth best defensive catcher in all of baseball this year. He lead all AL catchers in virtually every hitting category that isn't solely power based, there truly isn't a better catcher in the game than Joe Mauer. He may have not been as good as he was in 2006, when he should have won MVP, but he had a very good year.

6. Nick Markakis, BAL - 697 PA, .306 BA, .406 OBP, .491 SLG, 134 OPS+, 123 RC

Justin Morneau has been getting a lot of hype as the possible American League MVP, I've even seen columns with him as the run away winner. Nick Markakis had a higher BA, OBP, OPS and even had more Runs Created. Morneau only beat him in SLG by .008. Markakis got on base more times than any other player in the American League this season, 283 times to be exact. If you think only his hitting is impressive, BIS Video Scouts ranked him as the top defensive right fielder in either league this season, surpassing even Ichiro. With this type or production and almost no press, I'm convinced Markakis is the most underrated player in baseball. He's improved every season in BA, OBP and SLG and should continue to grow as he's only 24 years old. It's a damn shame how few people know about him but hopefully that will change in the future.
>> HKK !h7MHU9L/Oo
7. Kevin Youkilis, BOS - 621 PA, .312 BA, .390 OBP, .569 SLG, 143 OPS+, 120 RC

Two years ago, Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz weren't only the two best hiters on the Red Sox but arguably two of the top five hitters in the game. Ramirez is gone and Ortiz has been battling injuries for the past year and a half. Kind of sad in a way but Kevin Youkilis has stepped up in their downfalls. We all know he's a great fielder, either it be at first or third, but this year his bat came alive. He didn't lead the AL in any categories but he did finish in the top ten for BA, OBP, SLG, OPS, Total Base, Doubles, RBI's, OPS+, Runs Created and Extra-Base hits. Youkilis showed he can be a complete player and should give Sox fans some hope about their offense for the next few seasons.

8. Dustin Pedroia, BOS - 726 PA, .326 BA, .376 OBP, .493 SLG, 122 OPS+, 123 RC

Last season's Rookie Of The Year took a big leap in overall production this season. Pedroia led the American League in Runs, Hits and Doubles along with finishing in the top ten in BA, Total Bases, Runs Created, Extra-Base Hits and Times On Base. Along with Kevin Youkilis, he should provide the Red Sox a formidable duo in the abscene of Manny Ramirez and the decline of David Ortiz. However, he's not among the best players in the game like some people are making out to be. Pedroia has a long way to go before he reaches that status but he sure has the potential.
>> HKK !h7MHU9L/Oo
9. Carlos Quentin, CHW - 569 PA, .288 BA, .394 OBP, .571 SLG, 148 OPS+, 109 RC

Top ten in OBP, SLG, OPS, OPS+ and Home Runs, all this from a guy nobody had ever heard of a year ago. Quentin fractured his wrist in early September and missed the last 32 games of the season. If he comes back healthy next year, the White Sox are going to have a tremendous producer in left field for virtually no cost. I can't wait to see what he can do in the future.

10. Grady Sizemore, CLE - 745 PA, .268 BA, .374 OBP, .502 SLG, 128 OPS+, 131 RC

Sizemore continues to be a statistical anomaly. He lead the American League in Runs Created but out of all the people on my ballot he had the lowest batting average and second lowest on-base percentage. BIS Video Scouts had him ranked as the top defensive center fielder in the American League, which shows he's already among the games best defensively. Sizemore doesn't have to change his game to be successful, that much is obvious, but wouldn't hurt to improve the batting average. He's only 25 so he's clearly got plenty of time to complete his game.
>> Anonymous
>>476275
All the voters were Boston fags.
>> Kilgamayan !2BklmILFiE
     File :-(, x)
>The other first-place vote went to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez (2-3, 2.24 ERA, 62 SV), who totaled 143 points and finished sixth
>> Anonymous
>>476276
That's not a very big increase...
>> HKK !h7MHU9L/Oo
And I know I'm not a member of the BBWAA but I can't be any dumber than idiot who voted Jason Bartlett fifth.
>> Kilgamayan !2BklmILFiE
lmao @ dudes that voted for Jason Bartlett and Raul Ibanez
>> Anonymous
Switch Hamilton and Sizemore.
>> HKK !h7MHU9L/Oo
>>476289

Get on IRC you fucking butt pirate. I need to rage.
>> Anonymous
>>476282
No Ian Kinsler love?
>> Anonymous
How is Joe Mauer not first?

That makes me rage more than anything else...
>> HKK !h7MHU9L/Oo
>>476299

I fucking love Ian Kinsler but he the last 40+ games because of injury. Had he played the whole year I probably would have him on the ballot somewhere... but he did suck ass in the field.
>> HKK !h7MHU9L/Oo
K-Rod finished ahead of Josh Hamilton, Alex Rodriguez, Grady Sizemore, Cliff Lee and Milton Bradley.

This award no longer means jack shit. Congratulations on winning MVP in the weakest field ever with the dumbest voting ever, Pedroia.
>> Anonymous
Manny should have gotten votes for his strong July.
>> Anonymous
>>476306
baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
>> HKK !h7MHU9L/Oo
>>476313

By the way, with today's vote, Dustin Pedrioa has won an MVP award while Manny still hasn't. Yeah, try thinking about that next time someone credits the BBWAA on doing a good job.
>> Anonymous
>>476316
oh, my I just noticed that too. You could break both of Manny's arms and he would still be 10 times the hitter that garden gnome is.
>> HKK !h7MHU9L/Oo
>>476317

Pedroia has more MVP awards than Manny Ramirez, Todd Helton, Edgar Martinez, Jim Thome and Carlos Delgado. But perhaps worst of all? He has won the same number of MVP's as Ken Griffey Jr.
>> Chocolate Hitler !!WCFvcOo5Pka
     File :-(, x)
>>476323
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
>> Anonymous
>>476323
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
>> Anonymous
Manny was never MVP because his best years in Boston were only played on one side of the plate. I give the BBWAA more credit for being able to identify that than you guys.

Also
Pedroia's MVP, Get Over It
>> HKK !h7MHU9L/Oo
>>476331
>1999, Cleveland Indians
.333 BA, .442 OBP, .663 SLG, 173 OPS+, 158 RC

He played every game in right field that year except for two. Kindly go drown yourself in a toilet.
>> Anonymous
>>476338

>HEY GUISE IM A BASEBALL GURU LETS CROSS YEARS AND PRETEND THAT MATTERS IN THIS YEARS MVP EVEN THOUGH PUDGE WAS STILL BETTER THAT YEAR ANYWAY LOL IM SO SMART
>> HKK !h7MHU9L/Oo
>>476351

Pudge was not better that year in any way shape or form. I know more about baseball than you. I give Kilgamayan, a couple other tripfags and some anons credit for knowing their shit on here but a lot of people, like yourself, have your head so far up your own ass you can see what you had for breakfast.
>> HKK !h7MHU9L/Oo
>>476358

On top of that, I was only pointing out how Pedroia, a guy who is not even that great, has an MVP on his mantle while all those sure fire Hall of Fame guys don't.
>> Anonymous
goddamn, these awards mean nothing to me anymore.
>> Anonymous
>>476323
Most rage-inducing post of all-time.
>> Anonymous
The article on MLB.com sounds like a marketing campaign for Pedroia, and to a lesser extent the SAWKS. It's pretty clear what's going on here.

As an Angelfag, I cant agree less with the voting for our guy. But whatever. Frankie isnt sticking around, and Arredondo is a better pitcher at this point in his career than K-rod ever was. This just means that the Mets or whoever are going to overpay 25 mil for the mantle piece of their failpen, and we can finally have out best reliever to close out our games.
>> Anonymous
Every Red Sox fan should be crying right now. Pedroia's going to earn 10 million next year in arbitration because of this MVP win.
>> Anonymous
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

BBWAA is the same that not only had Carmona of the Indians on the rookie of the year award a second year in a row, but they gave him votes.

They're about as intelligent as a dead cat.
>> Anonymous
I should be happy as a ASUfag, but I am raging oh so hard right no
>> Kilgamayan !2BklmILFiE
>>476297

As long as IRC is filled with mod faggotry over wrestling and MMA, I do not wish to be a part of it.
>> Anonymous
>>476543

MMA isn't mixed martial arts, its grappling with random punches and kicks.
>> Kilgamayan !2BklmILFiE
>>476562

I do not personally care for MMA, and this is not the faggotry I was referring to.
>> HKK !h7MHU9L/Oo
>>476543

You make me a Sad Panda. I enjoy talking baseball with you the most out of everyone on there. What convinced you to leave? RMD being a bitch every time someone brings up MMA?
>> Anonymous !!w8TIjcoB9vq
>>476514
>>476514
>>476514
>>476514
>>476514
yeah. Fausto Carmona was given votes for rookie of the year, a second year in a row. Not only is it terrible they had him on the ballot, but some fucktard "writers" gave him votes....

and Joe Maddon, NOT unanimous?! That Cleveland writer should be shot. Gadenhire my fucking ass.
>> Cleveland Fag !AVztAjVxGg
>Fausto Carmona
>Rookie Of The Year

>Fausto Carmona
>Rookie

>Fausto Carmona
>Good

LOLWAT
>> Anonymous !!w8TIjcoB9vq
>>476729
Technically, Carmona had exceeded the 50 inning mark prior to 2007 even. He wasn't eligible last year, or this year.

But the BBWAA didn't notice... twice. Point being, those writers are collectively about as intelligent as George Bush.