Re: david ortiz--
Beyond numbers, what gets lost in this whole MVP debate is the definition of the award. The player that wins IS "The most valuable player to his team"..meaning without that player, the team wouldn't be shit. To me, the debate starts and ends there. You add up all the numbers to get a group of guys who contend for the MVP...about 2-3 players imo for consideration. Out of those ...THE MOST VALUABLE TO THEIR TEAM wins.
If i'm picking right now...
NL - Pujols
AL - Santana
because let's face it...as close as they are, the Phillies aren't making it to the playoffs imo, which despite the fact that the MVP is voted on REGULAR season stats, if you're team doesn't get to the post season, you have to wonder if you are really THAT valuable in the grand scheme of things. (i.e.- Soriano absolutely killing it on the Nationals, but the dude is pitched to every at bat, never gets any junk, never is put in any really tense situations, because who gives a fuck if he hits a home run, the Nats are still going to loose.) So...all of this said, where would the Yanks be without Jeter? Where would the Cards be without Pujols? Where would the mets be without Beltran? Where would the Sox be without Ortiz? I can tell you where the sox would be without Ortiz...just add up his game winning walk off homers, and there's your number. Not most valuable imo considering this is a 162 game season, and the Sox aren't making the playoffs (no disrespect to the him, he's a frickin alien at the plate.) Plus, where was Ortiz when the Yanks have been spanking the Sox lately? MVPs make a big enough difference that it puts your team over the top. Ortiz is a piece of the puzzle, but not the center (i agree with sean, manny is the key.) Jeter is the key guy. Pujols is the key guy. Santana is the key guy. Howard is the key guy (on a mediocre team). Hafner is a key guy (on a mediocre team.) Soriano, sick player (on a shitty team)
done rambling...
imo it's between these guys for MVP:
AL-
Jeter
Santana
NL-
Pujols
Howard
I'm probably in the minority on my picks, but this is the way i see baseball. (and please baseball writers, STFU about Beltran, the MVP on that team is Wright hands down.)
And no offense to Sightless, but before you pencil in Jeter for MVP, consider how fucking sickpants Santana has been ALL year. He hasn't lost since the break...he's not only leading in ALL three major pitching categories (ERA, wins, strikeouts), he's leading those by a freaking MILE. Really tough call on this i know, since pitchers have their own award, the Cy, but man, you really have to consider the total dominance of Santana over MLB this year and give him both awards. It's happened before, it's due to happen again. That said, i've got no problem Jeter getting the MVP, Santana aside, he's a shoe in.
P.S.
Hey Ortiz, PICK UP A FUCKING GLOVE.