2011 BBWAA Awards

[BaltimoreTerp]

Sports Guy already started one for the ROY awards, but since there wasn't any discussion going on in that one I thought we could have one thread to cover all of them.

http://bbwaa.com/

Rookie of the Year:

AL - Jeremy Hellickson, RHP, Tampa Bay

NL - Craig Kimbrel, RHP, Atlanta

AL Cy Young - Justin Verlander, RHP, Detroit

Manager of the Year:

AL - Joe Maddon, MGR, Tampa Bay

NL - Kirk Gibson, MGR, Arizona

NL Cy Young - Clayton Kershaw, LHP, Los Angeles

AL Most Valuable Player - Justin Verlander, RHP, Detroit

NL Most Valuable Player - [Tuesday, November 22]

[BaltimoreTerp]

My comments:

- Hellickson and Kimbrel are fine choices. Even though he fell off through the season I'm surprised that Pineda didn't get more support. Same with Ackley and Jennings, though for different reasons. I'm not sure why Walden received any votes. I'm also surprised Kimbrel was unanimous, though he didn't really have much competition.

- The only issue with the Cy Young voting is that Jose Valverde received any votes, let alone a second-place vote and enough points to finish fifth. Its also interesting that David Robertson was voted fifth by somebody, though he was far more deserving than Latin Kevin Gregg.

- Since Maddon won the AL award mostly due to his team's late comeback, I'm surprised that Tony LaRussa didn't receive much support outside the plurality of third-place votes. Gibson is a good choice. I do want to see Craig Calcaterra's comments on Fredi Gonzalez finishing fifth and receiving four votes.

[Floater]

John Lackey was robbed

[BaltimoreTerp]

Kershaw wins NL Cy Young.

http://bbwaa.com/2011/11/2011-nl-cy/

[BaltimoreTerp]

Verlander wins AL MVP

http://bbwaa.com/

First pitcher since Dennis Eckersley in 1992, and first starter since Roger Clemens in 1986 to win the MVP. Second player ever to win all three BBWAA player awards (Rookie, Cy Young and Most Valuable), after Don Newcombe.

[Austin]

So Verlander has won Rookie of the Year, Cy Young, and MVP. That has to be pretty rare, right? Or is he the first?

[BaltimoreTerp]

So Verlander has won Rookie of the Year, Cy Young, and MVP. That has to be pretty rare, right? Or is he the first?

Second, after Don Newcombe. Its a very impressive feat.

[Frobby]

If a pitcher is ever going to win the award, Verlander's 2011 season certainly warrants it.

[scOtt]

Second, after Don Newcombe. Its a very impressive feat.

The Triple Crown of awards!

[MikeAD]

Braun is NL MVP

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7269575/ryan-braun-milwaukee-brewers-wins-nl-mvp

Braun earned the MVP on Tuesday, receiving 20 of 32 first-place votes and 388 points in voting announced by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Los Angeles center fielder Matt Kemp, who came close to winning the Triple Crown, received 10 first-place votes and finished with 332 points. Braun's teammate Prince Fielder finished third with 229 points, and Arizona's Justin Upton finished fourth with 214 points.

[crissfan172]

Braun is NL MVP

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7269575/ryan-braun-milwaukee-brewers-wins-nl-mvp

I shouldn't be surprised that the BBWAA screwed up again, but somehow...I am.

[MikeAD]

I shouldn't be surprised that the BBWAA screwed up again, but somehow...I am.

You think Kemp?

[crissfan172]

You think Kemp?

Absolutely. Similar offensive numbers, while playing a tougher position. I know why Braun won, but I don't think having better teammates is a good rationale for giving out an individual reward.

[MikeAD]

Absolutely. Similar offensive numbers, while playing a tougher position. I know why Braun won, but I don't think having better teammates is a good rationale for giving out an individual reward.

Yeah I thought Kemp was going to get it, but the stats are similar enough. Remove Kemp from the Dodgers and they go from bad to ghastly. Remove Braun from the Brewers and they don't get into the playoffs. I know that isn't the criteria for voting, but it ends up that way anyway.