ADSENSE Link Ads 200 x 90
ADSENSE 336 x 280
Why not Adrian Beltre? "Not that I care about awards, but (ENTER NAME) should win (ENTER AWARD)."
What's distressing is that it's people that I respect in terms of writing and opinion about sports.
No one cares about awards like the most valuable player. Yet, almost no one can quit talking about the thing.
The debate surrounding the American League Most Valuable Player (and to a certain level, the National League) is deafening. And dumb. Especially since most the people "don't care."
We really do care because we care about the sport. It's about integrity. It's about principle. In the grand scheme of things, a 'roided up Barry Bonds smashing Hank Aaron's home run record (one that was broken and set before people of my generation were born) really does not matter. In fact, it matters as much as whether Justin Verlander or Jacoby Ellsbury or Curtis Granderson is the AL MVP.
It doesn't. But it does. It doesn't make this season any less interesting or valuable. Yet, as fans of a sport, we care whether or not things are done the right way. As much we care about Aaron's home run record, we also care that Adam Dunn, Alcides Escobar or Torii Hunter are not winning the AL MVP. Because that wouldn't be right.
Talking MVP is as bad as talking abortion, In 'n' Out Burger and Barack Obama. It's a lose-lose-lose for everyone.
Truth is, there are a number of great candidates in the American League that deserve the equal amount of attention. If an argument can be made for them, how is it wrong to state as such?
How is arguing Verlander any less of an argument of value than Granderson, Ellsbury or, say, Jered Weaver? It's not. Verlander is incredibly awesome, and he's had a great year along with those guys.
What baffles me are those people that argue whether someone should be considered. Verlander, Ellsbury, Adrian Gonzalez and others are considered frontline MVP candidates if everyone had to make a short shortlist.
The Texas Rangers' Michael Young is top 15, right?
Not to some, who would shit their pants if you mention it. Calling Young one of the 15 most valuable individuals in the American League is not a total stretch.
The fact that he doesn't play a position most of the time hurt him? Certainly. But who is more valuable: Young or the White Sox' Paul Konerko? Young or Alex Gordon? Young or Asdrubal Cabrera?
Young, probably, would win all three debates. Mostly because his team is winning and in the playoffs. The Royals, Indians and White Sox are not. Why those players and others on non-winning teams are not considered is a bit mystifying when you consider that typical MVP winners on winning teams are surrounded by other legit MVP candidates.
Consider the Rangers. Who is more valuable: Young, Ian Kinsler, Adrian Beltre or C.J. Wilson?
Young, more than likely, would come in last. Wilson was a horse on the mound winning 16 games with a 2.97 ERA. The Rangers won 20 of his 33 starts.
Ian Kinsler has played Gold Glove defense at second all season, scored 118 runs, went 30-30 and was the heart of this team.
Beltre, too, provided an insane boost to the defense at third. His 100+ RBI, 30+ homers and countless big hits.
To me, Beltre is "more valuable" followed by Kinsler, Wilson and Young, in order. That doesn't take into account Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, Derek Holland and even Mike Napoli. But those guys aren't even in the top five for the team.
However, compared to the Cleveland Indians, is Adrian Beltre more valuable to the Rangers than Asdrubal Cabrera is to the Tribe? Not really. Because Beltre may be more valuable than Young, Kinsler and Hamilton doesn't make him more valuable than Cabrera is to the Indians, which doesn't have the depth like the Rangers.
Same goes for Granderson on the Yankees, Ellsbury on the Red Sox or Verlander on the Tigers.
Ideally, the MVP should go to a player who stands alone on his team as the best.
But that's not the rules. Why people get so angry about an argument that has so much grey area and wiggle room to agree or disagree shocks me.
0 Response to "The MVP award: How did we get here and how do we get back?"
Posting Komentar