Justin Verlander, in a pre-ordained landslide, was the unanimous pick to win the American League CY Young Award. There was no one in the baseball universe that expected any other outcome than this unanimous vote. The CY Young Award is voted on by 2 writers from each city that has a team (the specific writers are chosen by the Baseball Writer’s Association of America). Since the American league has 14 teams, there were 28 ballots cast. Anyone who had a vote, if they didn’t list Verlander as their first place pick, would have been shunned by the rest of the baseball community! Plain and simple! This marks the 9th time an AL pitcher has won unanimously. Surprisingly, Verlander is the first American League former Rookie of the Year to also win the AL CY Young Award! (It has been done 5 times in the National League).
AL CY Young voting (Courtesy of the BBWAA.COM website):
Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers 196 points
Jered Weaver, Los Angeles Angels 97 points
James Shields, Tampa Bay Rays 66 points
CC Sabathia, New York Yankees 63 points
Jose Valverde, Detroit Tigers 28 points
CJ Wilson, Texas Rangers 9 points
Dan Haren, Los Angeles Angels 7 points
Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees 4 points
Josh Beckett, Boston Red Sox 3 points
Ricky Romero, Toronto Blue Jays 2 points
David Robertson, New York Yankees 1 point
Where to begin with the spectacular 28 year old fireballer’s season? Verlander was dominant all year long, at one point winning 12 straight starts, while helping his team win their first division title since 1987. Verlander led the AL in winning percentage (.828), wins (24), innings pitched (251), WHIP (0.92), strikeouts (250), quality starts (28), lowest OPS against (.555), pitches per start (115.9) and opponent’s batting average (.192). Just amazing! He also threw in a no-hitter, against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 7th, just for good measure!
The 2nd through 4th place pitchers all had very respectable seasons and could have been serious CY Young contenders in a different year.
Jered Weaver – 33 GS, 235.2 IP, 198 K’s, 18-8 record, 1.01 WHIP, 2.41 ERA
James Shield – 33 GS, 249.1 IP, 225 K’s, 16-12 record, 1.04 WHIP, 2.82 ERA
CC Sabathia – 33 GS, 237.1 IP, 230 K’s, 19-9 record, 1.23 WHIP, 3.00 ERA
Jered Weaver has slipped under the mainstream radar for some reason, despite 3 extremely solid seasons in a row, including leading the league in strikeouts in 2010. Thankfully, the voters have noticed, as he was the only other pitcher listed on every ballot besides Verlander.
James Shield became the master of the complete game last year, easily leading the league with 11 complete games. Very weird since he hadn’t had a single one in the previous two years!
CC Sabathia is a perennial CY Young Award candidate, having finished in the top 5 in voting every year since winning the award in 2007. Very few starters have CC’s ability to log major innings, stay focused and help carry their team to the post-season.
The rest of the field was led by Jose Valverde’s perfect save season, 49 saves in 49 chances. Usually there are several closers appearing every year in the voting, but rarely do the closers win the award.
Also, I should note, the great honor that was bestowed on David Robertson! Middle relievers are almost NEVER acknowledged in the CY Young voting. By receiving even a single vote, Robertson’s incredible season has been confirmed by the mainstream media.
Hey Aaron,
ReplyDeleteDid you somehow wrangle yourself a BBWAA vote and vote for Robertson yourself? I know you love your Yankees!
I agree with you, if anyone didn't vote for Verlander they should have their credentials revoked.
I also agree with most of your awards predictions, but I'm not sure Verlander wins AL MVP as well. I think Cabrera might sneak in.
- Dan
LOL, One day I would be so lucky to be part of the BBWAA! I am just proud David Robertson's season was even noticed for any award. He deserves it!
ReplyDeleteMiguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander are both interesting choices for the AL MVP, but they unfortunately may take votes away from each other. When two players are from the same team, many times, there is no clear consensus which was the MVP of the team itself, much less the league's MVP! I think some voters may think that way and go with a different player all together because of that.
Of course, if Miguel Cabrera does win, there would be nothing wrong with that. He had a wonderful season!
Thanks for the comment Dan!
I agree with you but that's why I picked Cabrera. Granderson will take votes away from Cano, and Gonzalez from Ellsbury. I think there are enough voters who still feel a pitcher shouldn't win MVP, so I'm not convinced Verlander takes votes away from Cabrera, which is why I thnk he might sneak in. The top six candidates are from three teams, so everybody is taking votes from somebody. Can't see Bautista winning.
ReplyDeleteAlso, in years where there's no clear cut winner, sometimes they look at the overall career (although I've heard that more in the NBA than in MLB), and since Cabrera hasn't won yet he's had a very consistent career and may be rewarded for that.
Then again, if Willie (please call me Guillermo) Hernandez won an MVP, anything's possible.
- Dan
WOW... Willie Hernandez! There is a blast from the past! I wonder if he would have won in today's current baseball environment?!
ReplyDeleteDan, where I can agree that the NY Yankees' Granderson and Cano will definitely take away each others votes, I disagree with Boston's Gonzalez and Ellsbury.
I think most people would argue between Cano and Granderson (even CC) for Yankee team MVP. I also think many people would argue between Cabrera and Verlander for Detroit Tiger team MVP. But almost everyone would agree that Ellsbury was Team MVP for the Boston Red Sox. (Gonzalez's second half really deflated his MVP consideration despite his overall numbers IMHO).
I totally agree with your great second point on "retro" award winners to players who have been consistently great but have never won. Or as an award for previous a season they could have won.
I wouldn't be upset if Cabrera wins, but I would be surprised.
Great points Dan!