AL Year End Awards

As I did with the NL, here are the award winners with vote totals and my take on it.

MVP

1. Gregg Black, Nashville (19)
2. Denny Moss, Las Vegas (5)
3. King Winn, New York (4)
4. Andre Eckenstahler, Milwaukee (3)
5. Emmanuel Guzman, Texas (1)

Skinny: Just as much of a no-brainer as it was at the midpoint, I think the only surprise was that 13 people didn't vote for Black. He flirted with .400, settling for a .385 average, while hitting 50 HRs and driving in 161 RBIs. He led the AL in the following: batting average (.385), runs (145), triples (11), walks (138), OBP (.513), and slugging average (.808). As great as Moss (.315-61-152) and Winn (.307-68-168) were this year, it doesn't compare to what will be looked at as a historic year by Black.

Cy Young

1. Steven Michaels, Cleveland (11)
2. Albert Gonzalez, Monterrey (10)
3. Ajax Drabek, Anaheim (5)
4. Lance Stevens, Louisville (4)
5. Phillip Allensworth, Monterrey (2)

Skinny: Almost as close as the NL race, the award goes to Michaels due in large part to winning 2/3 of the Triple Crown (ERA, K's). Gonzalez won more games (22), but the other key numbers were all in Michael's favor- along with ERA and Ks, he had a better OBA, WHIP, and walked fewer guys. Drabek's numbers were probably the most similar, if a touch behind- the other 3 had higher win totals due to the quality of their teams, but the individual pitching numbers didn't match Michaels. A close race goes to a deserving winner.

Rookie of the Year

1. Denny Moss, Las Vegas (19)
2. Andre Eckenstahler, Milwaukee (5)
3. Ernest Montgomery, Louisville (3)
4. Albert Herzog, Louisville (3)
5. Alex Lim, Colorado Springs (2)

Skinny: Two MVP finalists in this category? Moss would have been involved in a close race for MVP with King Winn in my opinion if not for Black, so it really shouldn't be a surprise for him to get this piece of hardware. His power numbers are listed above, and he stole 32 bases as well. It's tough to hit .340 with 47 HRs and 133 RBIs in your rookie year and not even come close to winning this award, but that's what happened to Eckenstahler this year. Don't cry for him, though; I think he'll make quite a bit of money at this game by the time he's through.

Fireman of the Year: Gerald Thompson, Las Vegas.

Skinny: A good closer wins, but again I'm going to have to disagree. My pick is Quinton Hughes of Milwaukee. A statistical breakdown:

Thompson Hughes
Saves: 39 39
Blown: 3 1
Innings: 41.1 87
BB/9 1.95 1.45
K/9 7.99 10.03
ERA: 3.48 1.45
OBP: .284 .249

The numbers clearly favor Hughes.