If it's good enough for Mark Cuban, it's good enough for us here at The Bigs Daily News. All 32 teams, recapped in Twitter style (135 characters or less).
National League
Atlanta: We trade the MVP and get better? Now part of the NL elite.
Trenton: Lineup is too old, rotation is too young. Enough talent to win 84. Not enough to make the playoffs.
Norfolk: Diaz took the year off. Atlanta sank our battleship.
Washington: When do Leonard and Rader get here?
Fargo: We took the title! Now to enjoy the North Dakota offseason...
Chicago: We hate Fargo.
Philadelphia: Bernie signed for 3 more seasons. Now to get a team around him...
Toronto: How does middle of the pack in offense and pitching land us in last?
Houston: We dominated our division yet again! Playoffs... don't ask.
New Orleans: You know you're in the south when some guy named Bobby Ray leads you in wins. Should have been Carlos.
San Juan: Apparently you have to keep runs off the board in order to win. Can Oswaldo pitch?
Austin: Lots of steals, few runs. Can we deport Hasegawa?
Cheyenne: Our "reward" for winning the division is Chicago in the playoffs? Let Salem have it next time.
Salem: We have Dunwoody, Salmon, Allensworth as starters... and a closer who should be flippin' burgers somewhere.
Salt Lake City: Hernandez is a beast- too bad half the rotation forgot to show up this season.
Vancouver: From the penthouse to the outhouse.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Louisville: Officially the best franchise to have never made a World Series appearance.
Scranton: How much further in the playoffs could we go if we didn't strike out so much?
New York: Offense can be renamed Duvall, Castillo, and the 7 outs.
Boston: At least the fans were entertained watching all the runs. Too bad we gave up most of them.
Milwaukee: So close, yet so far away...
St. Louis: If you give up exactly one more run than you score... yep, you'll be right around .500
Buffalo: At least it was better than last season. And we have Diaz and Clay to build around. As for the rest of the roster...
Syracuse: Offense is decent, too many strikeouts. Can we leave the pitching staff at the State Fairgrounds?
Monterrey: Finally got home field against Milwaukee! Too bad it didn't help.
Jackson: Proving you can make the playoffs for less money than the cost of Yankees season tickets.
Nashville: Santiago, Black, and Winn. Pitching staff is a sin.
Oklahoma City: Nothing sneaky about us. Nominate Colome for Cy Yuk.
Las Vegas: In our final performance, we finish below .500... and win the division AND a playoff series? Do they want an encore? Not sure.
Anaheim: Dixon struggled and Griffith is on the team. Not a good combination.
Boise: Hail to the Chief, as he, Zheng, and Medrano are about all we have.
Seattle: When do the young pieces start to come together?
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
World Series Recap- Season 5
The World Series came down to Milwaukee, representing the American League, and Fargo, the National League champs. This seemed like a good match-up on paper, and the games did not disappoint.
WORLD SERIES
#2 (AL) Milwaukee Manic Maulers vs. #1 (NL) Fargo Dirtbags
Game 1 was going Milwaukee's way until the 4th inning, when a 3-run homer by Fargo's Greg Burkhart and a Sammy Pierce RBI single erased a 3-0 deficit. Fargo would not trail after that point and went on to a 6-4 home victory to open the series.
Game 2 was very similar to game 1, with Fargo coming up with the big inning when it counted. Tied 2-2 in the 6th, Fargo added 4 runs by stringing together five singles and two walks. That was enough for Chris Siddall out of the Fargo bullpen; he shut out the Maulers over the final three innings to nail down a 6-2 victory.
Game 3 saw the series shift to Milwaukee , and Manic Maulers' starter Graham Costello most certainly felt at home in Wisconsin. He pitched 7 innings of one-hit ball and the Milwaukee offense provided just enough offense to scratch out 2 runs for him. Closer King Burns made it interesting in the 9th, but held on for a 2-1 win behind Costello's great performance.
Game 4 was a wild affair, with both closers blowing save opportunities. Down 3-2 in the ninth, Fargo pushed across two runs to take a 4-3 lead, only to see it surrendered in the bottom of the inning. The teams traded runs in the tenth, and Fargo tallied again in the top of the 12th, hoping to secure a win. But Harold Lewis hit a solo shot to tie the game, and AL MVP Luis Martinez drew a bases-loaded walk to drive in the game-winning run. Final score: 7-6, Milwaukee.
Game 5 saw the first road win of the series. Fargo got both a solid pitching performance from Willie Williams (7 IP, 5 hits, 1 run) and a 3-run 7th (with Willis Petrov and Leo Miller both having RBI extra-base hits) to key a 6-3 win.
So Fargo had a home game and Javier Henriquez on the mound to try and clinch the series. It seemed like a sure thing, but it was not to be. Henriquez made one key mistake- a 3 run homer in the 5th surrendered to Eric Speier. Fargo SS Shawn Butler ran into one in the 8th for a 3-run shot of his own to tie the game, but Martinez and Louie Chang hit back-to-back solo shots in the 10th to beat Henriquez and co. 5-3 to tie the series at 3.
It would all come down to game 7, and it was everything the experts could have predicted. Pierce and Costello both took the ball for their respective teams, and both were very good. Fargo struck first in the second inning, as Tomas DeJesus drove in Greg Burkhart with an RBI single. John Stevenson tied the game for Milwaukee in the 5th, hitting a solo shot off of Pierce, but in the bottom of the inning Fargo got 2 runs off a DeJesus homer and a Rolando James RBI single. Milwaukee only managed two hits after that point, and Fargo had itself a 3-1 victory in game 7 and its first World Series championship.
A great series to cap yet another great season in The Bigs.
WORLD SERIES
#2 (AL) Milwaukee Manic Maulers vs. #1 (NL) Fargo Dirtbags
Game 1 was going Milwaukee's way until the 4th inning, when a 3-run homer by Fargo's Greg Burkhart and a Sammy Pierce RBI single erased a 3-0 deficit. Fargo would not trail after that point and went on to a 6-4 home victory to open the series.
Game 2 was very similar to game 1, with Fargo coming up with the big inning when it counted. Tied 2-2 in the 6th, Fargo added 4 runs by stringing together five singles and two walks. That was enough for Chris Siddall out of the Fargo bullpen; he shut out the Maulers over the final three innings to nail down a 6-2 victory.
Game 3 saw the series shift to Milwaukee , and Manic Maulers' starter Graham Costello most certainly felt at home in Wisconsin. He pitched 7 innings of one-hit ball and the Milwaukee offense provided just enough offense to scratch out 2 runs for him. Closer King Burns made it interesting in the 9th, but held on for a 2-1 win behind Costello's great performance.
Game 4 was a wild affair, with both closers blowing save opportunities. Down 3-2 in the ninth, Fargo pushed across two runs to take a 4-3 lead, only to see it surrendered in the bottom of the inning. The teams traded runs in the tenth, and Fargo tallied again in the top of the 12th, hoping to secure a win. But Harold Lewis hit a solo shot to tie the game, and AL MVP Luis Martinez drew a bases-loaded walk to drive in the game-winning run. Final score: 7-6, Milwaukee.
Game 5 saw the first road win of the series. Fargo got both a solid pitching performance from Willie Williams (7 IP, 5 hits, 1 run) and a 3-run 7th (with Willis Petrov and Leo Miller both having RBI extra-base hits) to key a 6-3 win.
So Fargo had a home game and Javier Henriquez on the mound to try and clinch the series. It seemed like a sure thing, but it was not to be. Henriquez made one key mistake- a 3 run homer in the 5th surrendered to Eric Speier. Fargo SS Shawn Butler ran into one in the 8th for a 3-run shot of his own to tie the game, but Martinez and Louie Chang hit back-to-back solo shots in the 10th to beat Henriquez and co. 5-3 to tie the series at 3.
It would all come down to game 7, and it was everything the experts could have predicted. Pierce and Costello both took the ball for their respective teams, and both were very good. Fargo struck first in the second inning, as Tomas DeJesus drove in Greg Burkhart with an RBI single. John Stevenson tied the game for Milwaukee in the 5th, hitting a solo shot off of Pierce, but in the bottom of the inning Fargo got 2 runs off a DeJesus homer and a Rolando James RBI single. Milwaukee only managed two hits after that point, and Fargo had itself a 3-1 victory in game 7 and its first World Series championship.
A great series to cap yet another great season in The Bigs.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
League Championship Series- Season 5
The top two seeds in each league advanced to the LCS, setting up two Clashes of the Titans. Who would emerge and advance to the World Series?
NATIONAL LEAGUE
#2 Atlanta Bandits vs. #1 Fargo Dirtbags
Game 1 at Fargo saw a pitchers' duel between the two aces. Neither Atlanta's Stephen Michaels nor Fargo's Javier Henriquez were fully rested for their game 1 start, but both were solid. Fargo struck first with an Alex Lim RBI double in the 3rd, promptly followed by an RBI single by William Bolling to give the home team a 2-0 lead. But Atlanta wouldn't give up, and came back with a 2 RBI single by Vicente Romero to tie the game. An Albert Martin RBI groundout in the 6th after a key error by Leo Miller proved to be the difference, as Atlanta took the game 3-2.
Game 2 belonged to Sammy Pierce. The Fargo starter pitched 8 shutout innings, allowing only four hits and striking out 10. Fargo only scratched out 2 runs against Atlanta starter Fred Carter, but that was enough for Pierce. Alex Javier pitched a scoreless 9th to nail down a 2-0 victory.
Game 3 saw the series shift to Atlanta. Stan Starr saw to it that the home fans got into the game early, with a solo homer in the first off of Fargo starter Manny Christians. Chuck Reed doubled the lead with a solo shot of his own in the 5th. Fargo closed to 2-1 in the 6th due to a Bill Taylor bloop single with two outs. In the 9th, Atlanta closer Rico Mangual couldn't hold the lead and blew the save on a 2-out single by Einar Gonzalez. Fargo found themselves in familiar territory (extra innings), but it was Stubby Byrne for Atlanta who stepped up, hitting a walk-off 2 run homer in the 11th. Atlanta won 4-2 to take a 2-1 series lead.
Game 4 saw the Fargo offense break out. Alex Lim and Arnold Hunter hit back-to-back solo shots in the first off Alex Sanchez to give Fargo an immediate 2-0 lead. A Stan Starr sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning cut the lead to 2-1, but the Bandits wouldn't score again. Tomas DeJesus and Einar Gonzalez added home runs for Fargo, and the Dirtbags pitching staff retired the last 12 Bandit hitters to claim a 7-1 win.
Game 5 featured something most experts didn't expect- a shootout. This game featured more runs than the first 3 games combined. Atlanta opened the scoring on a Romero RBI ground rule double, but Fargo slugged their way to a 6-5 lead in the bottom of the ninth. This time it was Javier's turn to blow the save. Stan Starr hit a solo shot to dead center field to tie the game at 6. In the top of the 11th, the top of Fargo's order got the big hits, as Gonzalez led off with a double, and Lim singled him home. Rolando James had been 0 for 4 when he came up next, but changed that with a 2-run shot. Fargo went on to win, 9-6
Needing only one win at home to clinch the series, the Dirtbags decided not to take their chances with a game 7. A 1-1 game in the 6th turned into a laugher as Henriquez helped his own cause with an RBI single, Gonzalez followed with an RBI single of his own, then James hit a grand slam to stretch the lead out to 7-1. Atlanta couldn't get any offense going after that backbreaking inning, and Fargo won the series 4-2 with the 7-1 win.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
#2 Milwaukee Manic Maulers vs. #1 Monterrey Sultans
NATIONAL LEAGUE
#2 Atlanta Bandits vs. #1 Fargo Dirtbags
Game 1 at Fargo saw a pitchers' duel between the two aces. Neither Atlanta's Stephen Michaels nor Fargo's Javier Henriquez were fully rested for their game 1 start, but both were solid. Fargo struck first with an Alex Lim RBI double in the 3rd, promptly followed by an RBI single by William Bolling to give the home team a 2-0 lead. But Atlanta wouldn't give up, and came back with a 2 RBI single by Vicente Romero to tie the game. An Albert Martin RBI groundout in the 6th after a key error by Leo Miller proved to be the difference, as Atlanta took the game 3-2.
Game 2 belonged to Sammy Pierce. The Fargo starter pitched 8 shutout innings, allowing only four hits and striking out 10. Fargo only scratched out 2 runs against Atlanta starter Fred Carter, but that was enough for Pierce. Alex Javier pitched a scoreless 9th to nail down a 2-0 victory.
Game 3 saw the series shift to Atlanta. Stan Starr saw to it that the home fans got into the game early, with a solo homer in the first off of Fargo starter Manny Christians. Chuck Reed doubled the lead with a solo shot of his own in the 5th. Fargo closed to 2-1 in the 6th due to a Bill Taylor bloop single with two outs. In the 9th, Atlanta closer Rico Mangual couldn't hold the lead and blew the save on a 2-out single by Einar Gonzalez. Fargo found themselves in familiar territory (extra innings), but it was Stubby Byrne for Atlanta who stepped up, hitting a walk-off 2 run homer in the 11th. Atlanta won 4-2 to take a 2-1 series lead.
Game 4 saw the Fargo offense break out. Alex Lim and Arnold Hunter hit back-to-back solo shots in the first off Alex Sanchez to give Fargo an immediate 2-0 lead. A Stan Starr sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning cut the lead to 2-1, but the Bandits wouldn't score again. Tomas DeJesus and Einar Gonzalez added home runs for Fargo, and the Dirtbags pitching staff retired the last 12 Bandit hitters to claim a 7-1 win.
Game 5 featured something most experts didn't expect- a shootout. This game featured more runs than the first 3 games combined. Atlanta opened the scoring on a Romero RBI ground rule double, but Fargo slugged their way to a 6-5 lead in the bottom of the ninth. This time it was Javier's turn to blow the save. Stan Starr hit a solo shot to dead center field to tie the game at 6. In the top of the 11th, the top of Fargo's order got the big hits, as Gonzalez led off with a double, and Lim singled him home. Rolando James had been 0 for 4 when he came up next, but changed that with a 2-run shot. Fargo went on to win, 9-6
Needing only one win at home to clinch the series, the Dirtbags decided not to take their chances with a game 7. A 1-1 game in the 6th turned into a laugher as Henriquez helped his own cause with an RBI single, Gonzalez followed with an RBI single of his own, then James hit a grand slam to stretch the lead out to 7-1. Atlanta couldn't get any offense going after that backbreaking inning, and Fargo won the series 4-2 with the 7-1 win.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
#2 Milwaukee Manic Maulers vs. #1 Monterrey Sultans
Monterrey fans were hoping that Milwaukee would be tired after a tough series with Louisville; the Manic Maulers showed no ill effects. Milwaukee 1B Burt Stevenson set the tone for game 1 and the series in the first inning with a 3-run homer off Monterrey starter York Burnett. Monterrey came back to tieafter 6 innings, but Milwaukee came out on top after Brian Dunham hit 2 solo shots in the last 3 innings to key a 6-4 win in game 1.
Having lost game 1 and in need of a big-time pitching performance, Monterrey handed the ball to Luther Brush. The Sultans would be very disappointed, as Brush gave up 6 runs in 4 2/3 innings. Milwaukee starter Woody Hiller, on the other hand, pitched 8 scoreless innings as the Manic Maulers won a 9-1 blowout en route to a 2-0 series lead.
Game 3 saw the Cy Young award winner get outdueled. Monterrey's Albert Gonzalez, fully deserving of the award, gave up 3 runs in 7 innings; Milwaukee's Graham Costello gave up only 1 in the same 7 innings. Bob Malone, Louie Chang, and Dunham all had RBI hits (Dunham's was a triple) as Milwaukee took a 3-1 lead into the ninth. Closer King Burns made it interesting, giving up an unearned run, but struck out Bum Casey with runners on first and third to nail down a 3-2 victory. The champs took a 3-0 series lead and it appeared to be over. Could the mighty Sultans actually be swept out of the ALCS?
In a word, no. After Milwaukee had generated enough offense against the more highly touted Brush and Gonzalez, Kelly Downs was just too much for the Maulers to solve in game 4. He pitched 6 1/3 shutout innings, yielding only 3 hits. Vin Solano was just as baffling over 5 innings, but Monterrey got a 2-run shot by Tony Escuela off reliever Seth Faulk, and that would be all Downs needed. The Monterrey bullpen took care of the rest, and Monterrey stayed alive with a 2-0 victory.
In game 5, Monterrey again tried to stay alive, and did just that. It didn't look like it would happen for them after the 1st inning, when Milwaukee got an RBI ground-rule double from Andre Eckenstahler and a run- scoring passed ball for a quick 2-0 lead. But Monterrey used back-to-back RBI singles from Ryan Snyder and Timo Carter in the 3rd to tie the game, then got two more in the 4th on a Howard Murray two-run single. That would be enough for Jocko Keats and the Sultans bullpen, as they escaped with a 4-3 victory.
Game 6 saw Monterrey's attempt at pulling off the trick of coming back from 3-0 (any Yankee fan reading this is now cringing) fall short. Malone got Milwaukee off to a good start with a 2- run homer in the second, but a tough Monterrey team came back with one run in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh innings to take a 4-3 lead. The 8th looked good for the Sultans, as the first two hitters grounded out weakly. But Malone hit a double and was driven in by Chang to tie the game. John Stevenson then hit a double, and Chang was able to score easily for a 5-4 lead. The bullpen held, and Milwaukee won the game and the series. Milwaukee became the first team in either league to make 3 World Series appearances and would attempt to be the first team to successfully defend a World Series title.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
End-of-season awards
The major awards have been posted. The number in parenthesis indicates the number of votes received.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Most Valuable Player
1. Osvaldo Johnson, San Juan (19)
2. Nate Cox, Salem (5)
3. Sean Simpson, Chicago (3)
Bernie Soriano, Chicago (3)
5. Stan Starr, Atlanta (2)
My vote: Johnson
Why: Yes, I've heard the argument that a 1B shouldn't win the award over a CF if both are nominated- I just don't buy it. I believe the 1B can win it, but his numbers have to be well beyond the CF's numbers to make up for the difficulty of the defensive position, and I think that's what happened here. Johnson's .307-66-141 was just too much for Cox, who did put up excellent numbers himself (.338-43-109). Cox is no hack in CF, but he's not a Gold Glove winner, either.
Cy Young
1. Javier Henriquez, Fargo (22)
2. Jerome Oliver, Houston (4)
3. Alex Javier, Fargo (3)
4. Manny Christians, Fargo (2)
5. Steven Michaels, Atlanta (1)
My vote: Henriquez
Why: Oliver won 1 more game (19 to 18), but a look inside the other stats reveal that Henriquez was just more dominant. From his 1.86 ERA to his .207 OBA to the 251 strikeouts (almost a 5-1 SO/BB ratio), he's simply the best pitcher in the NL.
Rookie of the Year
1. Lonny Gates, Houston (20)
2. Enrique Guttierez, Cheyenne (4)
3. Vasco Lopez, Trenton (3)
Bert Pierre, Trenton (3)
5. Mark Bong, Cheyenne (2)
My vote: Gates
Why: Being assigned to the Trenton office, I would have liked to have voted for either of the hometown guys. Gates, however, won 17 games with a 2.81 ERA and was a key member of the Riverdogs team that won its 5th straight division title.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Most Valuable Player
1. Luis Martinez, Milwaukee (15)
2. Julio Diaz, Buffalo (10)
3. Burt Stevenson, Milwaukee (4)
4. Pete Duvall, New York (3)
5. Ismael Polanco, Louisville (0)
My vote: Martinez
Why: It was a tough call between Diaz and Martinez. Diaz led the league in HRs and RBIs while hitting over .300, which is usually a good recipe to win an MVP. But Martinez was more well rounded (stealing 64 bases, going 40-40, playing CF, having a higher OPS) and therefore earned the award from the league. By the way, I don't remember the last time I saw a player garner 0 votes for a major award- that was Polanco's fate here, despite putting up numbers fairly similar to Diaz's.
Cy Young
1. Albert Gonzalez, Monterrey (15)
2. Garry Wright, Jackson (7)
3. Woody Hiller, Milwaukee (5)
4. Tony Howell, Scranton (3)
5. Tom Beltran, Louisville (2)
My vote: Gonzalez
Why: You could make a pretty good case for Wright or Hiller here. Even though some of Hiller's numbers (WHIP, OBA) are better, I think Hiller loses out to Gonzalez because of fewer losses (4 to 10) and he was far more prone to give up the long ball (35 HRs allowed to 17 for Gonzalez). As for Wright, he was obviously the best closer and had a phenominal season. The starter vs. closer debate is always tough- I just think a starter is more valuable based on the number of innings normally. Therefore, I think a closer would have to be far better than any of the starters; to be fair, Wright's season was close to that point.
Rookie of the Year
1. Rick Anderson, Monterrey (18)
2. Pedro Medrano, Boise (6)
3. Odalis James, Anaheim (4)
4. Jacques Puffer, Seattle (2)
5. Quilvio Sanchez, Seattle (1)
My vote: Anderson
Why: Wait, did I just agree with all 6 picks? I don't think that's ever happened before. Anyway, the 22-year-old Canadian backstop stepped right into the Monterrey offense, going .344-30-96 in just over 400 at-bats. He's not terrible behind the plate, throwing out about 24% of runners (not great, but not Mike Piazza, either). . Medrano's 15 wins was a significant achievement on a 69-win Boise team, but his ERA (4.23) is a bit high to overcome Anderson's great rookie campaign.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Most Valuable Player
1. Osvaldo Johnson, San Juan (19)
2. Nate Cox, Salem (5)
3. Sean Simpson, Chicago (3)
Bernie Soriano, Chicago (3)
5. Stan Starr, Atlanta (2)
My vote: Johnson
Why: Yes, I've heard the argument that a 1B shouldn't win the award over a CF if both are nominated- I just don't buy it. I believe the 1B can win it, but his numbers have to be well beyond the CF's numbers to make up for the difficulty of the defensive position, and I think that's what happened here. Johnson's .307-66-141 was just too much for Cox, who did put up excellent numbers himself (.338-43-109). Cox is no hack in CF, but he's not a Gold Glove winner, either.
Cy Young
1. Javier Henriquez, Fargo (22)
2. Jerome Oliver, Houston (4)
3. Alex Javier, Fargo (3)
4. Manny Christians, Fargo (2)
5. Steven Michaels, Atlanta (1)
My vote: Henriquez
Why: Oliver won 1 more game (19 to 18), but a look inside the other stats reveal that Henriquez was just more dominant. From his 1.86 ERA to his .207 OBA to the 251 strikeouts (almost a 5-1 SO/BB ratio), he's simply the best pitcher in the NL.
Rookie of the Year
1. Lonny Gates, Houston (20)
2. Enrique Guttierez, Cheyenne (4)
3. Vasco Lopez, Trenton (3)
Bert Pierre, Trenton (3)
5. Mark Bong, Cheyenne (2)
My vote: Gates
Why: Being assigned to the Trenton office, I would have liked to have voted for either of the hometown guys. Gates, however, won 17 games with a 2.81 ERA and was a key member of the Riverdogs team that won its 5th straight division title.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Most Valuable Player
1. Luis Martinez, Milwaukee (15)
2. Julio Diaz, Buffalo (10)
3. Burt Stevenson, Milwaukee (4)
4. Pete Duvall, New York (3)
5. Ismael Polanco, Louisville (0)
My vote: Martinez
Why: It was a tough call between Diaz and Martinez. Diaz led the league in HRs and RBIs while hitting over .300, which is usually a good recipe to win an MVP. But Martinez was more well rounded (stealing 64 bases, going 40-40, playing CF, having a higher OPS) and therefore earned the award from the league. By the way, I don't remember the last time I saw a player garner 0 votes for a major award- that was Polanco's fate here, despite putting up numbers fairly similar to Diaz's.
Cy Young
1. Albert Gonzalez, Monterrey (15)
2. Garry Wright, Jackson (7)
3. Woody Hiller, Milwaukee (5)
4. Tony Howell, Scranton (3)
5. Tom Beltran, Louisville (2)
My vote: Gonzalez
Why: You could make a pretty good case for Wright or Hiller here. Even though some of Hiller's numbers (WHIP, OBA) are better, I think Hiller loses out to Gonzalez because of fewer losses (4 to 10) and he was far more prone to give up the long ball (35 HRs allowed to 17 for Gonzalez). As for Wright, he was obviously the best closer and had a phenominal season. The starter vs. closer debate is always tough- I just think a starter is more valuable based on the number of innings normally. Therefore, I think a closer would have to be far better than any of the starters; to be fair, Wright's season was close to that point.
Rookie of the Year
1. Rick Anderson, Monterrey (18)
2. Pedro Medrano, Boise (6)
3. Odalis James, Anaheim (4)
4. Jacques Puffer, Seattle (2)
5. Quilvio Sanchez, Seattle (1)
My vote: Anderson
Why: Wait, did I just agree with all 6 picks? I don't think that's ever happened before. Anyway, the 22-year-old Canadian backstop stepped right into the Monterrey offense, going .344-30-96 in just over 400 at-bats. He's not terrible behind the plate, throwing out about 24% of runners (not great, but not Mike Piazza, either). . Medrano's 15 wins was a significant achievement on a 69-win Boise team, but his ERA (4.23) is a bit high to overcome Anderson's great rookie campaign.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Johnson wins 3rd NL MVP Award
Henriquez wins second NL Cy Young by a landslide
San Juan's Osvaldo Johnson was named the National League MVP for the third time in his career today. Johnson, who hit .307 with 66 homeruns and 141 RBI with a 1.101 OPS, received 19 of 32 votes to capture his first MVP award since joining the Dead Bunnies. Johnson's 66 homeruns led the major leagues. The other National League award races weren't as close.
Fargo's Javier Henriquez took home his second Cy Young Award by tallying 22 of the 32 possible votes. Henriquez, who won his first Cy Young Award in season 2, was 18-6 with a 0.99 WHIP and a major league-leading 1.86 ERA.
The Rookie of the Year race was also a blowout as Houston pitcher Lonny Gates took home the award with 20 of the 32 possible votes. Gates posted a 17-7 record in his rookie season with a 1.18 WHIP and 2.81 ERA in 224.1 innings.
Things were a bit tighter over in the American League where Milwaukee's Luis Martinez edged out Buffalo's Julio Diaz for his first MVP Award by a vote tally of 15-10. Martinez hit .315 with 46 homeruns and 91 RBI with a 1.034 OPS.
This season marks the first time that a non-Milwaukee pitcher has won the AL Cy Young Award since season 1 as Monterrey's Albert Gonzalez received 15 votes to take home the award. Gonzalez tied for the majoe league lead with 19 wins while posting a 1.18 WHIP and 2.78 ERA in 210.1 IP.
In additon to the Cy Young Award winner, the Sultans are home to the AL Rookie of the Year as well as Rick Anderson won the award with 18 of the 32 votes. Anderson hit .344 with 30 homeruns and 96 RBI with a 1.005 OPS this season.
San Juan's Osvaldo Johnson was named the National League MVP for the third time in his career today. Johnson, who hit .307 with 66 homeruns and 141 RBI with a 1.101 OPS, received 19 of 32 votes to capture his first MVP award since joining the Dead Bunnies. Johnson's 66 homeruns led the major leagues. The other National League award races weren't as close.
Fargo's Javier Henriquez took home his second Cy Young Award by tallying 22 of the 32 possible votes. Henriquez, who won his first Cy Young Award in season 2, was 18-6 with a 0.99 WHIP and a major league-leading 1.86 ERA.
The Rookie of the Year race was also a blowout as Houston pitcher Lonny Gates took home the award with 20 of the 32 possible votes. Gates posted a 17-7 record in his rookie season with a 1.18 WHIP and 2.81 ERA in 224.1 innings.
Things were a bit tighter over in the American League where Milwaukee's Luis Martinez edged out Buffalo's Julio Diaz for his first MVP Award by a vote tally of 15-10. Martinez hit .315 with 46 homeruns and 91 RBI with a 1.034 OPS.
This season marks the first time that a non-Milwaukee pitcher has won the AL Cy Young Award since season 1 as Monterrey's Albert Gonzalez received 15 votes to take home the award. Gonzalez tied for the majoe league lead with 19 wins while posting a 1.18 WHIP and 2.78 ERA in 210.1 IP.
In additon to the Cy Young Award winner, the Sultans are home to the AL Rookie of the Year as well as Rick Anderson won the award with 18 of the 32 votes. Anderson hit .344 with 30 homeruns and 96 RBI with a 1.005 OPS this season.
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