Canadian Morneau wins AL MVP
- Thread starter CBC News
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As someone who loves baseball and Canada, good for him, it's great to see Canucks excelling at something not involving sticks and a puck (though I'm sure all the sports shows will find a way to just briefly mention it after all the hockey highlights).
That being said, he's probably second, if not third best choice this year - as much as I hate the Yankees, Derek Jeter really did deserve to win the award, as he managed to put up a high average, take a lot of walks, hit some homeruns, steal a bunch of bases, and play a surprisingly decent shortstop. Many baseball pundits are calling it one of the worst choices in years. Uber-site Rotoworld said that: "Morneau wins despite leading the league in no significant categories. He finished eighth in OPS and 10th once OPS is adjusted for ballpark, and since he did that as an average defensive first baseman with little value on the basepaths, he qualifies as perhaps the weakest MVP in decades."
New Blue Jay Frank Thomas finished fourth in the voting as well.
That being said, he's probably second, if not third best choice this year - as much as I hate the Yankees, Derek Jeter really did deserve to win the award, as he managed to put up a high average, take a lot of walks, hit some homeruns, steal a bunch of bases, and play a surprisingly decent shortstop. Many baseball pundits are calling it one of the worst choices in years. Uber-site Rotoworld said that: "Morneau wins despite leading the league in no significant categories. He finished eighth in OPS and 10th once OPS is adjusted for ballpark, and since he did that as an average defensive first baseman with little value on the basepaths, he qualifies as perhaps the weakest MVP in decades."
New Blue Jay Frank Thomas finished fourth in the voting as well.
Hate the Yankees???
No, no, no!
Besides, when the Yanks won those World Series in the late 90s, it was Canadian Gene Michael who was the advanced scout and who formulated the strategy used in their victories. Note that this includes 12 WS wins in a row which, I believe, is unprecedented in MLB history.
Michael will rank as one of the all-time great Yankees in his scouting and coaching.
No, no, no!
Besides, when the Yanks won those World Series in the late 90s, it was Canadian Gene Michael who was the advanced scout and who formulated the strategy used in their victories. Note that this includes 12 WS wins in a row which, I believe, is unprecedented in MLB history.
Michael will rank as one of the all-time great Yankees in his scouting and coaching.
12 WS wins a row?
I'm not sure if you're saying he orchestrated their last 12 world series victories, or you've mistakenly meant their last 12 division titles. If it's the latter, the Braves just finally had their divisional steak snapped at 14 years (exclusive to the 94 strike shortened year).
So what was Gene Michael's big scheme? Spend twice as much as everyone else, and hand out 10 year contracts to the farm-raised players to lock them up from ever tasting free agency? Cause honestly, they haven't won the big one since 2000, and with the number of bad contracts, poor decisions and unbelievable overachieving luck, it's amazing they're still so good.
I'm not sure if you're saying he orchestrated their last 12 world series victories, or you've mistakenly meant their last 12 division titles. If it's the latter, the Braves just finally had their divisional steak snapped at 14 years (exclusive to the 94 strike shortened year).
So what was Gene Michael's big scheme? Spend twice as much as everyone else, and hand out 10 year contracts to the farm-raised players to lock them up from ever tasting free agency? Cause honestly, they haven't won the big one since 2000, and with the number of bad contracts, poor decisions and unbelievable overachieving luck, it's amazing they're still so good.
Morneau's own team voted him their most valuable player, but, I suppose they know nothing.
And your point is?
Clearly you failed to read the objective part I cited, so I'll repeat it. "Morneau wins despite leading the league in no significant categories. He finished eighth in OPS and 10th once OPS is adjusted for ballpark, and since he did that as an average defensive first baseman with little value on the basepaths, he qualifies as perhaps the weakest MVP in decades."
If subjective voting means something, then consider that Joe Mauer was completely left off a Chicago ballot, while AJ Piersynski was included; Allan Ryan of the Sun gave both Vernon Wells and Alex Rodriguez an MVP vote. I would certainly say he was the most valuable member of the Twins (though you could certainly make a stronger case for Mauer, and possibly Santana as well), but he wasn't even close to being the best in the AL - very good, but not best.
Wow.
Again, I'll repeat to get through the daft. "Morneau wins despite leading the league in no significant categories. He finished eighth in OPS and 10th once OPS is adjusted for ballpark, and since he did that as an average defensive first baseman with little value on the basepaths"
This is not my opinion. These are substantiated facts that are measured by statistical evaluation. Clearly you have no knowledge of baseball.
OPS = On base percentage + slugging
OPS+ = adjusted for ballparks based on historical data and 'homerun factor'
average first baseman = measuring fielding metrics like UZR, zone rating, range factor and errors, this is clearly shown. He committed 8 errors at first base, which is puts him around the middle of the pack.
He did not finish first in the league in average, on base percentage, homeruns, steals, number of toasters sold on a Tuesday, anything! How does that make someone the best?
And it's not just my opinion. Pick up any number of newspapers or read any number of baseball blogs where the average poster is far more intelligent than you, and you'll see.
If it was a stats exercise there would be no reason for voting. I don't know about baseball but MVP is generally considered one of the best in the league that is the biggest difference to his team. Stats alone are useless as they don't put the stats into context. Who cares how many homeruns, steals or errors are made/committed when a game is not on the line?
there you go, now we have heard from someone who really understands what
"Most Valuable Player" really means.
It's never "just" about stats, it's about the players value to his team, and how it made a difference,
and where they would have been without him.