[Edit, 11:42 AM 8/18/09: The Twins managed to sign first-round choice Kyle Gibson for $1.85 million just before the deadline last night. This means they signed each of their top 10 picks. Gibson won't pitch this year, but it's very exciting to see a guy with his upside in the Twins system.
Oh, and Francisco Liriano went the Glen Perkins route, ending up on the disabled list after the horrible start. I'm assuming it's a bruised ego and lack of confidence that's really put him there more than any physical problem, and I have no issue with the Twins taking that path. Liriano just hasn't been right all year.]
The Twins take an early lead. The starting pitcher (this time Francisco Liriano) gives it all back and more in a hurry. The offense scores a solid number of runs (in this case 5) but can't come through in big spots (2-11 with runners in scoring position). Joe Mauer tries to win the game all by himself, and raises his average to .380 and his OPS to 1.083 in the process. He even decides, what the heck, those pitchers really aren't getting anyone out--I'm gonna have to start stealing bases.
And it's just so tough to watch his season go to waste. Even if they don't have a shot at the postseason, finishing around .500 would at least give him a better chance to win the MVP. And, if he wins that, I'd never consider his season wasted.
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Even if the Twins manage to get to .500 Mauer won't win MVP. It's disappointing because, given that it's award that is supposed to focus on the individual, I feel like there is too much bias in terms of the performance of the team as a whole in choosing which player gets chosen. Oh well. My mind is already set on next season.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to get in to too much of a discussion on this yet, as there's still a month and a half still to go (imagine if we were discussing Carlos Quentin's candidacy at this time in 2008); but, you obviously have a point.
ReplyDeleteSince 1990 (in the American League), only 5 players have won the MVP whose team didn't have 90 wins. And 2 of those were in strike-shortened season when the team was in first place, so they don't really count. One more was an 88-win, first place season. That leaves just two (A-Rod with Texas in 2003 and Cal Ripken with Baltimore in 1991) who've won it while being on a sub-.500 team.
So, while 2 out of 19 isn't a lot, at least it means there's some precedent for it.
Aren't you supposed to be working Ryan??
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