The Awards Should Go To

The MLB Awards should go to…

By Sally Haase
October 4, 2010

Sunday marked the end of the Major League Baseball season; the teams that did not make the
playoffs are on their way home for a five month break from the daily grind of a baseball season.
Eight teams will prepare for the post season, it is still up in the air as to which National League
teams will make the playoffs this year, but we will know by Wednesday. The end of the season
also means the start of voting for the league awards. I do not have a vote, but I can post my
thoughts of who I’d like to see win.

American League Cy Young: Felix Hernandez (Seattle Mariners) This would be a no-brainer if
the Mariners were at least able to score some runs for Hernandez or he pitched for a team that
could score runs. Hernandez leads all of baseball with a 2.27 ERA and even though his record
is barley above .500 (13-12) he was the most dominant pitcher in the American League.

National League Cy Young: Roy Halladay (Philadelphia Phillies) Halladay is a throwback to an
era when pitchers finished games they started. Halladay has nine complete games this
season, his record is 21-10 and his ERA is 2.44. Mix all those ingredients together and you
have a formula for a Cy Young winner.

AL MVP: Miguel Cabrera (Detroit Tigers) It is toss up between Cabrera and the Texas Rangers
Josh Hamilton, and you could make a very strong case for the Minnesota Twins Michael
Cuddyer but I think Cabrera has the edge. With the injuries that happened to key Tigers in the
final few months of the season, it’s pretty easy to imagine where the Tigers would be without
Cabrera in the middle of the line up. Fighting with the Royals for last place perhaps?

NL MVP: Joey Votto (Cincinnati Reds) Votto had a breakout season, leading the Reds to the
postseason and holding off an always strong Cardinals team. Votto is in the top three in all of
the Triple Crown categories. Votto will snap the winning streak of Albert Pujols.

AL Rookie of the Year: Austin Jackson (Tigers) Jackson was brought up to replace Curtis
Granderson and has all of Detroit asking “Curtis who”. He is an excellent centerfielder with
great speed and a great bat. Like Cabrera, Jackson kept the Tigers from falling too far off the
deep end.

NL Rookie of the Year: Jason Heyward (Atlanta Braves) The most exciting player to emerge in
recent years. The hometown hero helped the Braves make a run for the playoffs and he will be
rewarded for it.

AL Manager of the Year: Ron Gardenhire (Minnesota Twins) After years of being the
bridesmaid Gardenhire will finally get to be the bride. He has managed the Twins through the
loss of Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan leading the Twins to their second straight AL Central
division championship. Gardenhire always has the Twins playing together as a team, this
season he will finally get the recognition he deserves.

NL Manager of the Year: Bobby Cox (Atlanta Braves) One of the best managers ever should
win the award for his final season. Cox always finds a way to get the Braves into the
postseason and it will be a nice retirement gift.

Search this site