The fourth of my random thoughts for tonight, again with possible quotes from the Joe Morgan and Jerry Crasnick chats from today (see this entry for links to the chats):
NL Cy Young Award:
I wrote about this a month or so ago, and I was firmly in the Roger Clemens camp at that time. If the season had ended that day, I would have been very upset if he hadn’t won. Since that time, Clemens has had a rough time, Chris Carpenter a slightly less tough time, and Dontrelle Willis has barged onto the scene. At this point, I don’t know if Clemens’ ERA is still far enough below the other guys’ to make up for the lousy record, and I am guessing Carpenter will win. Clemens is #1 in ERA, Willis is #1 in wins, and Carpenter is #2 in both. They are all so close that I think any of the three could win, and I won’t be upset with any of them. (That is, of course, pending the last two starts for each guy. Oops, I just heard that Clemens will miss his next start because of a hamstring injury. Oops part 2, I just saw that Carpenter gave up nine earned runs in 5-1/3 innings tonight.)
My vote: I was still with Clemens until today, but then I leaned towards Carpenter, but now I don’t know. I guess I am back to think that Clemens has had the most dominant season, so he deserves it.