Instead of going over all awards given, we will go down to the 4 that everyone waits for: the two Cy Young awards, given to a pitcher in each league who posts the most consistent year, putting up untouchable numbers for that year, and the two MVP awards, given to the most spectacular player in each league who posts up amazing numbers and still be able to help his teammates become better.
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First off, the AL Cy Young.
Winner: Zach Greinke, Kansas City Royals.
Yes, he pitches for the worst team in the American League. Yes, the reminder that the Royals are even in the league disgusts the game's fans. Yes, the voters took that into deep consideration.
Even through all of that though, could you really deny him of it? Given the numbers that he put up, could you really?
He posted a 16-8 record, struck out 242, and posting an amazing ERA in 2.16.
Now, don't be fooled. Zack didn't have the most amazing second half of the season. Infact, before July hit, he was 10-3 with a 1.95 ERA. After that? 6-5. So what? He wasn't the most consistent pitcher in the AL, but getting off by winning 6 straight to start of the season, all while posting up an insane 0.40 ERA? You deserve some credit.
Now, a strong case could've been made for Seattle Mariners starter, Felix Hernandez, who won 19 games, losing 5, and putting a 2.49 ERA, but this award was given to Greinke because it was all about dominance. If you start the way he did, you would want some attention, and that's what he got.
The biggest reason though? The ultimate determining factor that you couldn't have ruled out? How about the fact that Greinke was diagnosed with a social anxiety disorder and depression just a couple of years ago? If you can overcome that, and come back and absolutely dominate in the Majors, there should be no one standing in his way in receiving a prestigous award like this.
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Next up, the NL MVP.
Winner: Albert Pujols, St.Louis Cardinals
A batting average of .327. 47 home-runs. 135 runs batted in.
Was it mentioned that he's the most feared hitter in the league?
Yes, even after being walked 115 times, the Cardinals first baseman was able to power his way to his second consecutive MVP award, winning in a unanimous decision.
It wasn't even close. It wasn't even fair. If you have the power and dominance of a sport like Pujols has, you should be banned, or stopped. This is inequality at its best, folks.
He was in the top 3 for each of the 3 top statistical categories. He was oh-so-close to getting the triple crown.
How monstrous is he? Well, in the last 21 games of the year, he didn't hit a home-run. Yes, hitting 47 home-runs comes easy for him. Yes, in his final 78 at-bats, he didn't hit one out of the park.
It's scary.
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Two down. Two more to go. We head to the NL Cy Young.
Winner: Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants
The kid with the crazy wind-up. A wind-up that has you wondering where he learned his mechanics from. If you don't believe me, search him up on YouTube, and you will find that he has one the craziest, but evidently, one of the most efficient ones in the game. He can throw the ball like you'd never believe. He can hit 100mp/h.
He's 5 feet and 11 inches and weights 170 pounds.
He can lead the league in strike-outs, as he did in the National League, getting the third strike on 261 batters over the course of 32 starts. That's 8.15 strike-outs per game. About a strike-out an inning, and that's only if
he pitched about 8-9 innings a game. Which is what he's been doing, striking out 1.16 batters an inning.It's amazing what small can do for you.
Also, just like Pujols, he repeated his winnings this year, after taking it home last year.
He's obviously the future of the league when it comes to pitching, and he's not even making a million bucks.
However, be sure to see his salary skyrocket to at least 8 figures, as he is eligible for arbitration this year, and it should be good to see how much he asks for.
Definitely, Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright could've won it, as they were right behind him, but Tim Lincecum definitely was more consistent.
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Lastly, the AL MVP.
Winner: Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins
After 1976, when Thurman Munson and 8 others before him won the MVP themselves, Ivan Rodriguez was the only catcher to win an MVP award, winning it in 1999. With a near unanimous vote, Joe Mauer became the second catcher in 33 years to win an MVP award.
Out of all the awards given to all the players, Joe Mauer's season coupled with this award, makes for the most special one of them all.
As a catcher, you're not supposed to bat a near 400 batting average and lead your league. As a catcher, you're not supposed to get on base so much that your OPS is higher than anyone else. As a catcher, you're not supposed to have your slugging percentage up so high, that again, you're leading everyone else that plays.
That's what Joe Mauer did. As well, what he brings to the table in terms of defense? Unbelievable. Great arm. Great defense.
Joe Mauer is inevitably, the face of the MLB for the young future in terms of batting. On top of that, he's an inspiration for young, aspiring catchers who want to make it big, but don't have someone to model it after.
Also, to be put in the same sentence as Ivan Rodriguez, Thurman Munson, Mickey Cochrane, Elston Howard, Ernie Lombardi, Roy Campanella, Johnny Bench, and the all-time great, Yogi Berra?
That's something special.
Joe Mauer is something special.
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