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Why I voted Morneau for AL MVP
Rosenthal's AL ballot
Pedroia, the Red Sox's second baseman, is a personal favorite, a fierce competitor who was criticized more heavily by rival scouts as a minor leaguer than any player I recall.
He has developed into a wondrous all-around talent, winning a Gold Glove last season, stealing 20 bases in 21 attempts, hitting for power. The Red Sox even used him briefly in the cleanup spot, and he went a ridiculous 12-for-18.
Why then, did I pick Morneau, the Twins' first baseman?
As I wrote in late September, Morneau is the Twins' rock, to an even greater extent than the incomparable Mauer. I'm not sure any other player means more to his team.
Usually, I lean toward middle-of-the-diamond performers in MVP discussions. Morneau, though, was more of an offensive force than Mauer and Pedroia, though perhaps less of a force than Youkilis.
Here's the thing, though: Morneau appeared in all 163 Twins games. Mauer, who plays a more physically demanding position, was hardly a slouch, appearing in 146 (Pedroia played in 157 games, Youkilis 145).
While the MVP ballot states, "There is no clear-cut definition of what Most Valuable means," it also lists five criteria. The first is, "Actual value of a player to his team, that is, strength of offense and defense." The second is, "Number of games played."
For a young team — a team that lost Johan Santana and Torii Hunter last offseason, yet contended until Game No. 163 — Morneau's daily, steadying presence was invaluable, if difficult to quantify.
OK, that was my argument.
Morneau, who batted .300 with 23 homers and 129 RBIs, didn't help himself by going 10-for-59 after Sept. 9. He hit .348 with runners in scoring position, but Youkilis hit .374. Pedroia's slugging percentage was only six points lower.
As if that's not enough, sabermetric types no doubt would dismiss the subjective aspect of my reasoning. But the truth is, each of the top four finishers was a legitimate candidate.
Mauer caught the Twins' young pitching staff while leading the league with a .328 batting average. Youkilis moved from first base to third after the Red Sox lost Mike Lowell, hit in a number of different lineup spots and never stopped producing.
And then there was Pedroia.
As Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe points out, Pedroia was the only player in the majors last season to finish with at least 175 hits, 75 runs, 75 RBIs, 15 homers, 20 stole bases while winning a Gold Glove.
I could nitpick and argue that the loss of Morneau would have hurt the Twins more than the loss of Pedroia would have hurt the Red Sox, but a player should not be penalized for the quality of his teammates.
Here's to the MVP.
The one and only Dustin Pedroia.
Member Comments
Ken Rosenthal is one of the best minds of baseball. If you don't agree with his MVP pick so be it but don't cut him down of say he is clueless,lol.Mourneau was more valuable to his team than ANY other candidate in my humble opinion,but Pedroia was so fun to watch and had a great season as well. A close call for voting this year. heck,that's good for MLB>
lanl196511/25/2008 10:46:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Ken...... You voted for Morneau because you are clueless when it comes to Baseball...
jarhead44411/20/2008 16:58:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I agree that Mauer was the MVP but I like Pedroia very much and erspect the way he plays the game and how hard he works out to get himself in the best possible shape. He's the kind of sparkplug every team needs.
rememberthecoop11/20/2008 9:50:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Joe Mauer was the MVP. Plays the toughest defensive position in baseball and put up offensive numbers comparable to any of the other top candidates. Its a shame how defense gets glossed over.
brannigan7311/20/2008 8:00:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Tom P...first of all, "Frankie" Rodriguez is a different player altogether from Fransisco Rodriguez (even though Fransisco can mean Frank in Spanish). Second, all you have to do is look at a team like the Mets. If they had a closer like K-Rod the Phillies would not have been world champs because they would not have even made the playoffs. Having that guy who you can rely on every 3rd game or so in this case to close out and seal a win is HUGE.
martyr196811/20/2008 7:25:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Ken, I have no major problem with your top 4 (although I'd argue that Mauer's premium position makes him much more valuable than Morneau - slugging 1st basemen are a dime a dozen; catchers with offensive value are rarer than diamonds), but there is one name on your list that genuinely doesn't belong there: K-Rod at number 5? I can see you were taken in by his accumulation of the ridiculously overvalued save, but ... #5 for MVP? Any objective look at the stats should clue you that K-Rod is barely in the top 5 closers in the AL, never mind players. That's a choice you should have to explain at length, and should include the phrase "I'm sorry, I was clearly wrong to do this really dumb thing ...". Seriously, that's the sort of vote that makes people think you don't take this very seriously. Frankie Rodriguez would easily have been in my top 50, but he doesn't crack my top 5 unless he's holding my family hostage. Oh my God, is that it? He kidnapped your children to coerce your vote? Whew. In that case, I think you did the right thing. Next time, put your family in a safe place before it's time to vote, ok? Don't put them at risk again the way you put your own credibility at risk with the K-Rod vote.
11/20/2008 6:06:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Ken.....once again you underestimated not only the brain trust of the Boston Red Sox, but their most dependable, excuse me, their most VALUABLE player-Dustin Pedrioa. Whether you just dislike the The Nation or are truly just a hater, remember that the Red Sox have made more ALCS than ANY TEAM IN BASEBALL since '03. Payroll aside, you need a talented ORGANIZATION to have that kind of success. <br />So Ken, do us all a favor.....embrace the fact that the Red Sox are here to stay, GET OVER IT!!!!
SDSoxPatsNation11/19/2008 22:52:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
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bloodredsox11/19/2008 20:47:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Are you kiddin' me 'bout Youk?<br /><br />9-11 pitch AB's everytime.<br /><br />Plays gold glove 1b and 3B<br /><br />hit fer average and power<br /><br />BTW.....MR LIVA: you've used that "joke" already...<br /><br />also Youk can move to anywhere between innings and play both positions at a level most cant play one at...<br /><br />o yeah, what are the Sox payin him?<br /><br />Is there a more valuable playa in the leauge?<br /><br />Ask Tito?<br /><br />p.s. if Quentin hadn't gotten hurt this would all be moot...<br /><br />Lots o love, <br /><br />-Blood
bloodredsox11/19/2008 20:36:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
ok "Youk" played a corner infield spot and played in less games then a catcher he shouldnt even be in this confersation.. Morneau should of won
cadet3011/19/2008 18:06:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
"Pious, PED Roids has a LONG way to go before he can even begin to walk in Jeter's shoes." NYY Dude you might be right that he has a long way to go before he can walk in Jeter's shoes. But atleast he can get to a ball hit to his left. Go luck to your yankees next year maybe this is the year that they can finally buy themselves a place in the world series.
nqhs11/19/2008 17:13:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I'll tell you something....<br /><br />The only safer bet than a Red SOx player winning the MVP this year was betting the over on my Blood Alcohol Content.<br /><br />For a body organ swimming in cheap vodka, I kill myself!
Joba_Chamberlains_Liver11/19/2008 15:43:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Youkilis should have won this award. Youk played Gold Glove defense at first AND third after Mike Lowell went down. Youk also filled the cleanup spot after Manny was traded and the Red Sox kept on winning. Youk was everywhere and for that he was more VALUABLE that Pedroia. Youk also had a better OPS. Youk was snubbed.
alexjhidell11/19/2008 14:37:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Dustin Pedroia didn't get your vote because you hate the Red Sox just like all Fox people especially that loser McCarver and "I am where I am because of my father", Joe Buck.
mrs_fluff11/19/2008 13:13:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Pedie deserved it, true grit, no appreciable slump, played all but 7 games, plus he was inspirational to his teammates. If you don't think he deserved it just ask Ozzie Guillen who he respected on that team!
soxmaineiac11/19/2008 9:43:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
first congrats to pedroia, he is fun to watch he puts 100% into everything, second get off carlos quentin who hurt his teams chances in the playoffs because he punched something broke his hand and was out the rest of the season mvp i think not
Redsoxforlife11/19/2008 9:31:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Congrats Pedie!!! you play the game the way it's supposed to be played!!<br /><br />I salute your professionalism!!!
Brad_Simpson1111/19/2008 9:19:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Mjlew: Thank you for summarizing exactly what pedroia is all about. Go to the yard and work every day and do whatever it takes to help your team win. Pedroia not only makes his team better he makes the game better, He is the new face of the franchise and the definition of why people all across the nation love the Red Sox. Every true fan knows it and even the organization knows it. Everybody loves manny but you have to admit that his need for the spotlight and ego fit in much better out in hollywood. <br /><br />I respect the users on here that can get past their allegiance to their team and give some credit where credit is due.<br /> <br />As far as NYYDude it is clear you kind is not wanted in this blog...PoiusVirus has shown us all that there actually are some classy dudes in the bronx that know what this game is about and can recoginze a player when they see one. Good show sir.<br /><br />Fanman7 - Please go find a national league blog if you want to talk about an MVP from a WS champion. Congrats to the Phillies but there are two awards for a reason. Do your homework.
FreeJR111/19/2008 8:49:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
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