Comments on: Random Baseball Thought #7: American League MVP Award http://www.jeffjsnider.com/archives/random-baseball-thought-7-american-league-mvp-award/ ...from a ranting rambler Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:48:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jeff J. Snider http://www.jeffjsnider.com/archives/random-baseball-thought-7-american-league-mvp-award/comment-page-1/#comment-355 Jeff J. Snider Sat, 29 Oct 2005 03:43:00 +0000 http://www.jeffjsnider.com/archives/random-baseball-thought-7-american-league-mvp-award/#comment-355 "If Papi was given more of an opportunity to play the field, would it be a closer race?" I doubt it. If Ortiz played the field, two things would be different: 1) People would be discussing the fact that A-Rod is a Gold Golver and Papi is a terrible fielder. 2) Ortiz's offensive numbers would be quite a bit lower, because he wouldn't come to bat well-rested every time. As for the class thing, I think it is ridiculous to suggest that class should have any bearing on the MVP voting, especially since Barry Bonds has won seven of them. And the A-Rod/Arroyo thing is a prime example of something that people need to get over. I was rooting for the Red Sox in that series, and I was very glad that they finally called A-Rod out on the play. But it wasn't a classless play -- it was a spur-of-the-moment play by a guy who was trying to win a game. Did it break the rules? Absolutely, which is why he got called out. But it was definitely not the crime against humanity that so many people make it out to be. “If Papi was given more of an opportunity to play the field, would it be a closer race?” I doubt it. If Ortiz played the field, two things would be different:

1) People would be discussing the fact that A-Rod is a Gold Golver and Papi is a terrible fielder.
2) Ortiz’s offensive numbers would be quite a bit lower, because he wouldn’t come to bat well-rested every time.

As for the class thing, I think it is ridiculous to suggest that class should have any bearing on the MVP voting, especially since Barry Bonds has won seven of them. And the A-Rod/Arroyo thing is a prime example of something that people need to get over. I was rooting for the Red Sox in that series, and I was very glad that they finally called A-Rod out on the play. But it wasn’t a classless play — it was a spur-of-the-moment play by a guy who was trying to win a game. Did it break the rules? Absolutely, which is why he got called out. But it was definitely not the crime against humanity that so many people make it out to be.

]]> By: kelly harrington http://www.jeffjsnider.com/archives/random-baseball-thought-7-american-league-mvp-award/comment-page-1/#comment-353 kelly harrington Thu, 27 Oct 2005 16:59:31 +0000 http://www.jeffjsnider.com/archives/random-baseball-thought-7-american-league-mvp-award/#comment-353 I will agree that A-Rod is a great ball player. However, if Papi was given more of an opportunity to play the field, would it be a closer race? I've always believed it takes more than just being a great athelete to be considered "The Best". Attitude and class should also be factored into the mix, which if that is the case, Papi has A-Rod beat by a landslide. I still has a enlarged picture of last seasons classy A-Rod move slapping the ball out of Arroyo's hand. Not MVP material in my book. I will agree that A-Rod is a great ball player. However, if Papi was given more of an opportunity to play the field, would it be a closer race? I’ve always believed it takes more than just being a great athelete to be considered “The Best”. Attitude and class should also be factored into the mix, which if that is the case, Papi
has A-Rod beat by a landslide. I still has a enlarged picture of last seasons classy A-Rod move slapping the ball out of Arroyo’s hand. Not MVP material in my book.

]]> By: T. Hogg http://www.jeffjsnider.com/archives/random-baseball-thought-7-american-league-mvp-award/comment-page-1/#comment-349 T. Hogg Sun, 09 Oct 2005 16:33:26 +0000 http://www.jeffjsnider.com/archives/random-baseball-thought-7-american-league-mvp-award/#comment-349 A-Rod should, no question, be the AL mvp. He has started some 1,000 innings this year for arguably the best team in baseball and has produced in front of the most hostile fans in baseball. He plays gold glove defense, and all his offensive numbers are a little better than ortiz. A-Rod should, no question, be the AL mvp. He has started some 1,000 innings this year for arguably the best team in baseball and has produced in front of the most hostile fans in baseball. He plays gold glove defense, and all his offensive numbers are a little better than ortiz.

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