Who's the AL MVP? The NL Manager of the Year? Let's discuss!

NL MVP
It pains me because I think he's an ass, but it's Barry Bonds all the way. Rolen, Pujols and Beltre all have had terrific season, but Bonds has just lapped the field.

NL Cy Young
If his team would score a couple of runs, Randy Johnson's record would be spectatcular. He's 12-2 when the 'Backs score more than 2 runs. Plus he made something like 6 starts where he allowed zero or 1 run but didn't get a W. Clemens is the only other real contender IMO, but not really close.

NL Manager
He does it so quietly, but all Bobby Cox does is win. Almost everybody had them third at best in the NL East behind Philly and Florida. A 13th straight division crown with this cut-and-paste team is a real accomplishment. Phil Niekro did a good job righting the ship in Houston, but they were seriosuly underachieving all year. LaRussa did a good job with the Cards, but with that batting order, he should. Honorable mention to Art Howe!

NL Surprise Team
I was surprised by the Braves ease in winning the NL East, but I guess I shouldn't have been by a team that had won 12 straight division titles. I wasn't surprised by the Padres as I had them first in the NL West. Guess it's gotta be the Cards if only because the Cubs and Astros looked like the class of not only the Central division, but the National League. Which brings me to...

NL Disappointing Team
The Astros and Cubs were suppossed to be going down to the wire for home field in the NL playoffs, not battling for the Wild Card. Both teams had their share of injuries that hurt them, but the Cubs stars really let them down. Wood, Prior, Hawkins and Sosa all have had way subpar seasons, so it's the Cubbies.

AL MVP
Vlad Guerrero has strapped the Angels onto his back and carried them down the stretch. Sheffield has had a great year, as have Manny and Ortiz. But the Yanks and Red Sox would still be playoff bound without these guys. The Angels would be planning their golf outings.

AL Cy Young
I know Schilling has more wins, but Johan Santana leads in every other category of import. Look at these second half numbers: 13-0 W-L, 1.21 ERA, 4.74 hits per 9 IP, 6.73 baserunners per 9 IP, 11.13 strikeouts per 9 IP. Those are close to historic numbers.

AL Manager
Mike Scioscia managed to keep the Angels reasonably together with all the early injuries, but come on. This is Buck Showalter's award. The Rangers were forced to use 17 different starters plus they lost the league MVP in the off season and Texas was in contention until the season's final week.

AL Surprise Team
Obviously the Texas Rangers, though the mid season surge of the Cleveland Indians was a bit of a stunner as well.

AL Disappointing Team
The White Sox were picked by nearly everyone to dethrone Minnesota in the AL Central and the Royals were also a chic pick after last eyar's overachieving. But the ChiSox were far more disappointing (pleasantly so) to me.


Not familiar enough with many rookies, so I won't bother with those picks.

[ October 02, 2004, 12:13 PM: Message edited by: George_vikingfan ]

NL Most Disappointing Team

Has to be Phillies. Predicted to finish first in the division, ending the long Braves rule atop NL East, but Phillies aren't even in the wild card race. They'll probably finish 2nd in NL East, but about 10 games or so out of first place. Refunds should be issued to all who purchased "this is the year" t-shirts from the Phillies.

NL MVP: Albert Pujols (Cardinals). The most consistent player in baseball. Barry Bonds has had a fantastic year--lots of home runs when he is not being walked. But, Pujols has been overlooked long enough, and he is a great fielder, too.

NL CY YOUNG: Roger Clemens (Astros). He got a lot of run support early in the season and nobody else has done as well. And, yes, I am still pissed off about him screwing the Yankees, over. But I have already bitched very loudly about that over the winter. Jason Schmidt was my pick earlier in the year, but he has had a tough final month of the season.

NL MANAGER: Bruce Bochy (Padres). While they will not make the playoffs, he has kept a team of relative no-names in the thick of things all season long. Tony LaRussa will probably win this thing, but he also has Scott Rolen and Pujols.

NL SURPRISE TEAM: Padres. See above. The Braves didn't surprise me at all. And, yes, I had picked them to make the playoffs (as a wild card) along with the Cardinals winning the NL Central. Neither the Braves nor Cards have been a shock to me.

NL DISAPPOINTING TEAM: Phillies. Everybody (including me) just thought this team was packed to win the NL East. The wheels game off this thing very fast.

AL MVP: Gary Sheffield (Yankees). Manny Ramirez, Miguel Tejada, and Vladimir Guerrero have had super years. But, would the Yankees still be the best team in the AL without Sheff?

AL CY YOUNG : Johan Santana (Twins). I recognize the fact that two starting pitchers have simply dominated this year, but it just kills me how Mariano Rivera gets ignored for this award every year, and someone like Eric Gagne pops up and gets the award in the NL last year. However, you cannot argue with what Santana has accomplished. My mid-season pick was Mark Mulder. What the hell happened?

AL MANAGER : Buck Showalter (Rangers). I was personally laughing at everyone jumping on the Rangers bandwagon early on this season because I knew they didn't have the pitching to make the playoffs. However, Showalter really kept this team together, and they definitely got my attention this final month. I would like to mention Joe Torre and probably the best managing job he has done with the Yankees since 1998. Between the major injuries and inconsistency of the starting pitching staff, and Jason Giambi, this has been one wild ride.

AL SURPRISE TEAM : Twins. As was mentioned (on this thread), the White Sox were the major pick to win the AL Central. However, this wasn't even a race. The Twins and their low payroll have proven for the third consecutive year that they are one of the best run organizations in baseball.

AL DISAPPOINTING TEAM : Blue Jays. Vernon Wells? Carlos Delgado? Eric Hinske? This pretty talented team just tanked from the beginning and never recovered, and it eventually cost Carlos Tosca his job. They may not have been poised to compete with the Yankees, but last place?

[ October 01, 2004, 01:58 PM: Message edited by: Cattledog ]

NL MVP
Scott Rolen

NL Cy Young
Jason Schmidt

NL Manager
Bobby Cox (Atlanta Braves)

NL Surprise Team
San Diego Padres

NL Disappointing Team
Chicago Cubs

AL MVP
Manny Ramirez

AL Cy Young
Johan Santana

AL Manager
Ron Gardenhire (Minnesota Twins)

AL Surprise Team
Texas Rangers

AL Disappointing Team
Toronto Blue Jays

NL MVP -- Will win: Bonds. Should win: Beltre. Pujols/Rolen will split too many votes.

NL Cy Young -- Jason Schmidt. Clemens will be 2nd, and Oswalt with 19 wins will get a number of votes that might have otherwise gone to Clemens. Plus there are enough award voters who are probably sick of Clemens, or annoyed, to vote for Schmidt.

NL Manager of the Year -- Will win -- LaRussa. Should win -- Phil Garner Astros... should the 'Stros make the Wild Card after Garner was hired mid-season.

NL Surprise -- Braves. EFF Them.

NL Disappointment -- Marlins. Even with their injuries, should have been in the hunt for the wild card longer. Flash in the pan.

AL MVP -- Will win -- Sheffield. Should win -- Guerrero.

AL Cy Young -- Will win -- Schilling. Should win --Santana.

AL Mgr -- Will win Showalter. Should win -- Gardenhire (for winning the division with 3 or 4 rookies or 2nd year players on the starting roster every game)

AL surprise team -- Rangers

AL Disappointment -- Mariners, Blue Jays.

I can see lots of folks naming the Phils as the most diappointing. I didn't have any expectations for them at all, but since so many prognosticators did pick them, they certainly were a major disappointment

NL MVP
Barry Bonds, no one else can even be considered

NL CY YOUNG
Jason Schmidt

NL MANAGER
Felipe Alou

NL SURPRISE TEAM
San Francisco Giants, after Barry Bonds just name a star player other than Schmidt

NL DISAPPOINTING TEAM
Houston Astros, come on, with all that talent they should have easily clinched the Central

AL MVP
Manny Ramirez

AL CY YOUNG
Pedro Martinez

AL MANAGER
Ron Gardenhire

AL SURPRISE TEAM
Tampa Bay Devil Rays, I love to watch these guys and they had a most amazing winning streak and did NOT finish in last place

AL DISAPPOINTING TEAM
Boston Red Sox, as usual...

[ October 02, 2004, 03:14 PM: Message edited by: billsf ]

I'll give my choices, and then, if different say who will probably get the award.

American League

MVP
Gary Sheffield
With the Angels clinching first place, Vladimir Guerrero will probably get the nod. There were three other candidates also deserving, Miguel Tejada, David Ortiz, and Manny Ramirez. If I had to pick one who would be most deserving, it would be Gary Sheffield

Cy Young
Johann Santana
He was clearly the best pitcher, but it will probably go to Curt Schilling.

Manager of the Year
Buck Showalter

Surprising Team
Texas Rangers

Disappointing Team
Seattle Mariners


National League

MVP
Barry Bonds
There are a few others deserving like Albert Pujols, who deserved it last year, Barry Bonds stats are a little better.

Cy Young
Roger Clemens
Jason Schmidt slumped towards the end, otherwise, I would say he deserved it, although Roger Clemens still would probably get it. Roy Oswalt will probably be up there since he won 20 games, but Clemens other stats are better.

Manager of the Year
Bobby Cox
The Braves weren't supposed to contend this year, but here they are in first place. Although Cox and the Braves will probably choke in the playoffs again.

Surprise Team
San Diego Padres

Disappointing Team
Philadelphia Phillies