ShareThisManny Ramirez is in Los Angeles now, so it figures he'd get movie star-style hype. But let's calm down about Mannymania.Simply put, he deserves the Most Valuable Player Award about as much as he deserves an Oscar. Putting the Dodgers left fielder in the MVP discussion is just silly talk. He's been a difference-maker only slightly longer than Sarah Palin. Two months does not an MVP make, no matter his statistics or the effect on the team. It wouldn't be an issue if the league had a clear-cut candidate. But if Ryan Howard gets Philadelphia past the New York Mets or into the wild-card spot, it suddenly has one. The fact that the Dreaded One has been averaging about an RBI per game and a home run every three games, and that his batting average is pushing .400, makes a pretty good case -- for a second consecutive Player of the Month citation, but not the big trophy. Take the cross-town Angels, for example. As good as they are, they have only one MVP candidate, and he's a dubious choice because Francisco Rodriguez is a relief pitcher. I'm not a big fan of pitchers winning the MVP anyway -- since they have their own Cy Young Award to put on the mantle -- but K-Rod will get votes and deserve them.Interestingly, while it's a foregone conclusion that Cleveland's Cliff Lee will get the Cy Young, K-Rod and his record-breaking number of saves made the Angels the best team in the league. Sounds like an MVP in a league that really doesn't have a standout candidate.-- So, Angels fans, which do you prefer to meet in the divisional series -- old nemesis Boston or Tampa Bay? Do you count on that 8-1 record against the Red Sox this season, and relish the chance to exorcise that postseason demon? Or do you hope that Tampa Bay ends up the wild card, and figure the Rays' playoff innocence makes them the easier mark? Somehow the Rays seem like the much safer choice.-- Freeway Series talk always crops up in Southern California when the Angels and Dodgers look playoff-bound. But it looks more plausible than it's ever been. The Angels have been great all year, and they aren't slowing down since clinching their division last week. The Dodgers have been hot enough to bring to mind a couple of mediocre National League teams that streaked their way to the World Series the past two years -- Colorado and St. Louis.(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
Put it to rest: Manny's no MVP: Other thoughts
Submitted by SHNS on Fri, 09/19/2008 - 14:13
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You are a moron!
First of Ryan Howard is hitting 18 points less than the last MVP with a bad batting average in 1944! How do you explain the Phillies playing so well at the begining of the season when Howard coudnt hit a lick?
Lets talk mannymania, Hmm the guy comes to a 500 team that was really worse than that, lets be honest. He gets here in a month and a half has 16 homers, hitting above 400 and more total combined RBI's than your best friend howard. When is the last time you checked the standings the Dodgers are going to win the west... I know thats not much BUT consider that Manny has SIX... yes 6 game winning hits.
Like it or not Manny will be MVP not Howard and his HORRIBLE batting average not Albert & the 4th place Cardinals not even CC because he is going to win the Cy Young.
Thanks for allowing me to hand you your facts for your next good article about Manny the NL MVP.
Late,
J
PS Paulin is going to give manny his MVP award at the white house when she and McCain are voted in.