Cy Young:

AL: Colon (Angels)
NL: Carpenter (Cards)

MVP:

NL: A. Jones (Braves)
AL: *Ortiz (Redsox)

*A Rod is a valid contender, but Poppi keeps getting the "clutch" hits.

Opinions?

*If* Ortiz gets 50/150, it's a lock.

Carpenter all the way.

While Poppi might get the MVP, i have a hard time swallowing giving the MVP to a guy that can only hit. I don't think a DH should get MVP. In the same way I don't think a closer should get the Cy Young. The closers have the R-O-L-A-I-D-S relief award, they don't start, they shouldn't get the Cy Young. Poppi shouldn't get the MVP. The only reason he's even being mentioned as an MVP candidate is there's generally, outside of A-Rod, no other legitimate competition, so he almost gets it by default if the Yankees don't make it to the playoffs.

Andrew Jones kept the Braves alive when Chipper went down and hit the first 50 home runs since 2002 in the process, he's a no brainer choice here. Looks like Pujols gets to wait another year for his MVP.

I like Dontrelle Willis for the NL Cy Young. Willis could have some argument in the MVP race, but back to my first comment, I don't like giving MVP to a player that doesn't play every day. Willis is the major reason that Florida is still in the Race, whereas Carpenter is on a much better team. Carpenter definately benefits from this but if you look at his and Dontrelle's stats, they are damn near equal. I think Dontrelle is the best pitcher in the majors this year (though maybe Clemens would be if Houston could hit for him).

It was hard to argue with Gagne winning his Cy Young. Relief award, my ass.

Ortiz going 50/150 is going to make him the first left-hander to do it since....Ruth.

Bonds, for example, even in his 72 homer season, has never knocked in more than 137. Ortiz is sitting at 46/140 with 11 games to play. It's going to be CLOSE for him to get that. He's got 140 RBI in 151 games, so with .92 RBI/Game, he's on pace for exactly 10.1 more. Simarily, he's only on pace for 3.3 more dingers, which will leave him at 49. They're streaky too, and he got a pair last night (right?) so he might end up at say, 48/149 and the "magic" of nice round numbers will pass him by.

Ortiz going 50/150 is going to make him the first left-hander to do it since....Ruth.

This may be the case, but how many would he get in the NL? How many games would he sit on the bench for someone that can play defense?

He's playing half the game, though I don't prefer the DH. That's another thread entirely. As far as Gagne, yeah you are right, it was a slam dunk, he was by far the most dominant pitcher in baseball that year.

Bonds, for example, even in his 72 homer season, has never knocked in more than 137.

Bonds doesn't see many pitches with runners on base, especially with first base open with runners in scoring position. If he had a good DH behind him, he'd see many more pitches, and you would see his numbers inflate higher. Though you can't compare Bonds to Pappi, as one plays in the AL and one plays in the NL, the way the DH effects the game in the offense sense and the way it effects the batting order, inflates offensive statistics.

This is being debated alot on ESPN radio lately. A Rod is having a gold glove type season, hitting percentage points higher, but isn't as clutch.

Ortiz has been responsible for several of the sox victories with late inning HRs.

I wouldnt be surprised if it came down to which team made the post season.

This may be the case, but how many would he get in the NL? Goodness, you're right! They should have a seperate AL and NL award or something!

If he makes 50/150 and the Sox make it in, he's a shoo in.

Ortiz tonight, 0-for-4. Make that 10 games left to get 50/150.

Value is entirely subjective but the argument I always like to go with is, what would happen to the team if that person were not there.

I don't know the answer to that as I rarely watch baseball but from what I've heard it seems Ortiz is more of an impact for his team than A.Rod is for his.

Ortiz this afternoon, 0-for-5. 9 games left to get 50/150

He needs 4 dingers and 10 ribbies.

He's on pace for 3 dingers and 8 ribbies.

Ortiz, 0-for-3 today, stuck at 46/140 with 7 to go, and a season-ending series with the Yankees.

Your regularly scheduled Ortiz update:

In his last two games, he got 3 RBI and no HR, bringing himn to 46/143 with five games to go. 50/150 looking like a longshot at best. Lets see if the Yankees series brings any heroics. Without a HUGE series against them, one in which they win, and he's the series MVP, you can kiss the league MVP goodbye.

*nod*

With ya on that one.

NY and BOS both losing early (not by much), and CLE tied. Another fun night in the AL. Expect another useless post from me in a couple of hours.

Your regularly scheduled Ortiz watch:

47/146

On pace for:

47.9/148.7

...with three games against Wang, Johnson, Mussina remaining.