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Yankees captain wants his MVP

Posted by on 16 April 2012, 7:02 am

I WANT MY MVP?

Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter (Photo credit: Keith Allison)

Most people would say that the New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter has it all, but they are wrong.

Ok, so Jeter is rich, handsome, dates hot brunettes, has enough World Series Championship rings for every finger on his right hand, Gold Gloves, Silver Sluggers and countless awards in just about everything.

Now, if you asked Jeter about what is missing from his trophy case he would probably say another WS ring because it is all about the championships; or so he says.

See, Jeter has never won the AL MVP Award; and even though I do believe in a team first attitude, anyone with a half-a-brain who could achieve that kind of personal accomplishment would strive for it.

Now, a lot of people feel that Jeter got swindled in the 2006 MVP voting, as he came in second behind Minnesota Twins Justin Morneau. After looking at both players’ 2006 stats, I have to disagree on this one.

I do think Jeter got robbed of the award in 2009 when he finished third behind teammate Mark Teixeira and the winner, who ironically was another Twin, Joe Mauer.

Winning an MVP would be the icing on the cake for the Yankees Captain, but the odds are stacked against him. Continue reading ‘Yankees captain wants his MVP’ »

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MLB: To Be Or Not To Be MVP Is Up To Ryan Braun

Posted by on 21 January 2012, 2:17 am
Ryan Braun

Tonight, Milwaukee Brewers star Ryan Braun will be presented with the 2011 NL MVP Award at the Baseball Writers’ Association of America dinner in New York City and everyone is wondering what he will do.

That is because back in October, Braun failed a routine performance-enhancing drug test. The levels of testosterone found were said to be “insanely high,” and Braun has been adamantly refuting the test results to be true.

Back on November 22, 2011 the BBWAA announced Braun as the 2011 NL MVP Award recipient.

That same day, Braun went on the MLB Network to talk about how hard he works on being the best baseball player he can be; and he also thanked the Brewers, his teammates and the fans. He talked about his fondest personal memory, which was when he hit the home-run vs. the Florida Marlins that clinched the NL Central Division for Milwaukee. That was on September 24th and he failed the test only a week later.

According to the New York Daily News, Braun started the appeal process this past Thursday just two days before he is to be presented with the NL MVP Trophy.

Whether the appeals committee find Braun’s “highly unusual circumstances” relevant enough to overturn his pending 50-game suspension has said not to be decided prior to the Awards gala tonight.

The likelihood that the test results won’t be upheld and the suspension will be lifted is low because no player has yet to have an appeal overturned.

Regardless, for now Braun is left with a life-altering decision to make, to accept or decline the NL MVP honor.

The BBWAA has already stated that the NL MVP voting results stand no matter what happens.

So, this made me think what I would do if I were Braun? Continue reading ‘MLB: To Be Or Not To Be MVP Is Up To Ryan Braun’ »

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New York Yankees: A Note To Brewers Fans

Posted by on 12 December 2011, 5:20 am
Ryan Braun

Image via Wikipedia

Dear Milwaukee Brewers Fans,

It is saddening when troubling news breaks about a player that you admire, like it did with your perennial Milwaukee favorite Brewer Ryan Braun.

I can safely speak for most New York Yankee fans in stating that things changed the day Alex Rodriguez admitted to using PEDs (performance-enhancing-drugs). Even though he was not playing for the Yankees at the time of the cheating, A-rod was wearing the uniform when he spoke about it.

What I am trying to say is that I understand the feelings of betrayal that you might be trying to mask now towards Braun.

My guess is that most Brewers fans are giving Braun the benefit of the doubt, as he claims his innocence and until all the facts are heard you will not judge him. Just be careful because even if Braun gets his pending 50-game suspension overturned, he still is not the same guy before this all came out.

Here are two reasons why Brewers fans cannot negate Braun after this:

1) Back when A-rod’s steroid scandal was front-page news during the 2008-2009 off-season, Braun had some wise-words for A-rod: “… The best thing he can do is come out, admit to everything and be completely honest, the situation will die a lot faster if he tells the whole truth.”

Okay, so why didn’t Braun follow his own advice?

Braun had known about the test results for weeks before accepting the 2011 NL MVP Award, so why did he not come forward and proclaim his innocence immediately?

That kind-of behavior is typical when someone is hiding something, or in total denial, as according to the Brewers, Braun had not informed the team either.

Look, Braun cannot change the fact that ESPN confirmed with the World Anti-Doping Agency that indeed he had failed a drug test for elevated levels of synthetic testosterone. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: A Note To Brewers Fans’ »

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MLB: Steroids Are Still Baseball’s Dirty Mistress

Posted by on 10 December 2011, 11:37 pm

When ESPN reported the news that 2011 NL MVP Ryan Braun had tested positive for PEDs (performance enhancing drugs) it reminded me that baseball still had a dirty mistress.

Ryan Braun

Image via Wikipedia

I knew back on January 11, 2010 that MLB commissioner Bud Selig might have spoken too soon about the end of the steroid era, when he told NY Time’s Mike Schmidt:

“The use of steroids and amphetamines amongst today’s players has greatly subsided and is virtually nonexistent, as our testing results have shown.”

That statement was right after slugger Mark McGuire omission, which sparked me to write an article naming PEDs Baseball’s Dirty Mistress. As Selig seem to be living in denial, when in essence he should have done more years ago.

For now, Braun is maintaining his innocence and plans on appealing the standard 50-game suspension through an arbitration hearing.

So, commenting too much further on the matter is somewhat unfair, as we haven’t heard the entire story yet.

The only fact that ESPN confirmed is that Braun took a urine test during the October playoffs, and was informed before the end of the month of his failed results. The test found elevated levels of testosterone that was later confirmed to not be of the natural kind, meaning that Braun did not produce the testosterone, and that it came from outside his body.

This means that MLB darn well knew they were handing the 2011 NL MVP Award to a player who had just failed a drug test; and in turn that player, Braun, felt no guilt accepting the season’s biggest honor.

Braun had this to say after he was announced the MVP winner:

“I’m not going to pretend like I wasn’t anxious or nervous because I was. I was obviously thrilled, excited. It’s honestly difficult to put into words how much this means to me.”

My question is how big an ego does this guy have? Continue reading ‘MLB: Steroids Are Still Baseball’s Dirty Mistress’ »

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NL MVP To Ryan Braun Screw You Matt Kemp

Posted by on 23 November 2011, 12:07 am

The BBWAAvoters really screwed up this time.

Ryan Braun

Image via Wikipedia

I mean the AL MVP debate was at least passable, but everybody knew who the NL MVP for the 2011 season was going to be.

It would seem that the BBWAA’s blunders are coming from letting their wishes interpret all duties by having an open mind.

It was Los Angeles Dodger Matt Kemp, but he came in second and not a close one either to Milwaukee Brewers Ryan Braun.

Let me make it clear, that Braun was undoubtedly worthy of being involved in the 2011 MVP discussions and right till the end too.

The problem is Kemp’s regular season numbers were undeniably atop of the NL; and it is a travesty he didn’t win the award.

Still, there is no reason to not give huge congratulations to Ryan Braun, who had a spectacular 2011 season in Milwaukee.

Here is the 2011 NL MVP voting results: Continue reading ‘NL MVP To Ryan Braun Screw You Matt Kemp’ »

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New York Yankees: Granderson, Cano, CC, Tex, Houdini All On MVP List

Posted by on 21 November 2011, 11:38 pm
Justin Verlander

2011 MVP Winner..Justin Verlander Image via Wikipedia

Much to my dismay (click HERE to read why) , I obviously still extend my sincerest of CONGRATULATIONS to Detroit Tiger ace, and

recent CY Young receipt Justin Verlander for being named the 2011 Most-Valuable-Player.

There was no question that Verlander was the best pitcher across baseball this past season. Verlander finished the regular season 24-5 in 34 starts. He also boosted a 2.40 ERA, had four complete games and two shutouts during the 251 innings he pitched. Verlander gave up 67 earned runs, 24 home-runs, and 57 walks but managed to strike out a whooping out 250 batters of the 969 he faced. That explains why Verlander held opposing hitters to a .192 average and 283 total bases.

Not since Oakland Athletics Dennis Eckersley was named 1992 MVP has baseball given its most coveted award to a pitcher. Eckersley was just the 23rd pitcher in baseball history to win the MVP; and now after a 19 year drought, Verlander becomes #24.

The New York Yankees were represented with five players making the MVP final voting list: Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Granderson, Cano, CC, Tex, Houdini All On MVP List’ »

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New York Yankees: MVP To Granderson, Honorable Mention To Verlander

Posted by on 21 November 2011, 4:57 am
Granderson Batting In 2011 ALDS Game 5 Vs. Tigers

2011 ALDS Game 5.

With the announcement of the 2011 AL MVP Award just hours away, the endless debate still continues about who is the rightful winner.

The  reason for all the hoopla is that Detroit Tiger, and recent crowned CY Young winner Justin Verlander has a good chance of taking the coveted annual award home later today.

So, everyone from baseball experts, MLB Players, and fans are weighing in with their own answer/opinion about pitchers winning the MVP Award over positon players…is it fair or not to give it to Verlander?

At this point, I have read a million answers from both sides of this argument, which at times have made me indecisive about my opinion in the matter.

Than after milling over pages and pages of stats and articles, here is why Justin Verlander is not the 2011 AL MVP and how New York Yankees Curtis Granderson is:

1999 Pedro Martinez vs. 2011 Justin Verlander

In 1999, Boston Red Sox’s ace Pedro Martinez was named the CY Young Award winner, just like Verlander was for this past season.

Both finished the regular season with impressive records, with Martinez going 23-4 in 29 starts; and Verlander going 24-5 in 34 starts.

The fact is the aces did not have comparable wins-losses; Martinez had an edge over Verlander due to making five less starts in 1999.

That is just one example of how Martinez edged out Verlander.

Now look at the two tables below to see that Martinez had a better 1999 season almost across the board in comparison to Verlander’s 2011:

All stats are courtesy of baseballreference.com

Martinez did not win the AL MVP in 1999; he came in second place behind Texas Rangers catcher Ivan Rodriguez. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: MVP To Granderson, Honorable Mention To Verlander’ »

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