Here is my main reason why: It is the bottom of the ninth in the Toilet Bowl. The game matters, so let's say it is the playoffs. The Yankees are down one run with men on second and third and two outs. Here is a simple question for those who propose that A-Rod is the MVP: Who do Yankee fans want up in that situation? If you are saying A-Rod, you are lying solely for the purpose of the MVP argument. The answer is Jeter; or Sheffield; or Matsui. Maybe even Bernie Williams. It is not A-Rod.
Now put the Red Sox in the same situation. Who do the Sox want at bat? The answer is Big Papi. Without a doubt. To me, the MVP ought to be the guy that his teammates and fans look to for big hits. A-Rod is not even the MVP of his own team. How can he be MVP of the entire league?
(Jason Stark has a pretty good article on ESPN.com today in which he makes a pretty good case about A-Rod v. Ortiz in the clutch. he also points out why A_Rod could get the award, but eschews defense.)
6 comments:
A-Rod plays 3rd base every day.
And the best player in baseball, sans Bonds, is Pujols. Me thinks, at least.
You may be right about Pujols.
And yes, ARod plays defense, but I am going to say what I have said a thopusand times before -- defense is overrated in this circumstance. It just does not matter anywhere near as much as everyone makes it out to matter. Hitting and fielding are not even remotely close in their importance. Sorry -- that's just the truth. Yes, ARod is a great defensive player. But he is a choke artist when it matters -- see the Stark article I just posted) and the fact is, DH is a position in baseball. Want to get rid of it? Fine. But as long as it is a position, we cannot suddenly count guys out because they play a less preferred position. In any case, again, ARod is not his own team's MVP, he sucks in the clutch, and there is not a fan on earth who would want ARod up rather than Papi if we needed one hit against the intergalactic all stars to save all of humanity.
I agree A-Rod is terrible in the clutch and I hope he never wins what really counts...a Series ring. DH is a position yes, but do we then award MVPs to pitchers in addition to Cy Youngs?
Greg --
Actually, we do. Roger Clemens, for example, has an MVP. I believe Rollie Fingers does too. Plus, DH does not have its own autonomous award comparable to the Cy. And with Molitor in the HOF we now have to recognize the place of the guys who pretty much just hit. Plus ARod is a poopiehead.
dcat
I guess from my comments it would seem as if I thought there had never been a pitcher awarded MVP. I know there have been in the past, but it's always been a matter of some disagreement amongst baseball fans. Is a player that doesn't play everyday an MVP. In this case I think the argument is also relevant in that Ortiz doesn't play, except for when he hits. BUT, make no mistake about it, A-Rod is a giant poopiehead. I hate him.
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