Baseball Stories & Lists

Baseball Todd's 2002 Award Picks

2002 MLB Award Picks

American League Most Valuable Player

You could field an entire team with the number of candidates who will garner support this year for the American League's Most Valuable Player trophy. Yankees second baseman Alfonso Soriano (.300, 39 HR, 102 RBI, 41 SB, 209 hits, 128 runs) nearly became a member of the 40-40 club this year. Shortstop Nomar Garciaparra (.310, 24 HR, 120 RBI) kept the Red Sox in contention for the playoffs with a nice comeback this season following wrist surgery. First baseman Jason Giambi (.314, 41 HR, 122 RBI, 120 runs) showed Yankee fans why George Steinbrenner felt compelled to lure him off the free agent market last year after a stellar stint with the Oakland A's. Left fielder Garrett Anderson (.306, 29 HR, 123 RBI) helped the Angels into the postseason with some steady offense and defense. Third baseman Eric Chavez (34 HR, 109 RBI) and shortstop Miguel Tejada (.308, 34 HR, 131 RBI, 108 runs, 204 hits) helped Oakland to the playoffs with some mighty inspired efforts. Despite laboring for the Chisox, outfielder Magglio Ordonez (.320, 38 HR, 135 RBI, 116 runs) set career highs in all departments. First baseman Jim Thome (.304, 52 HR, 118 RBI) set a Cleveland record for home runs even though the Indians were a disappointment. And, center fielder Torri Hunter (.289, 29 HR, 94 RBI) provided a solid bat to go along with his Gold Glove fielding. But, of all the candidates, shortstop ALEX RODRIGUEZ of the pitiful Texas Rangers deserves the MVP. Even though Texas was a last-place team, MVP awards have been given before to players on basement dwellers (Andre Dawson of the Cubs in 1987 comes to mind.) And, Rodriguez did MUCH more for the Rangers this year than "The Hawk" did for the Cubbies over a decade ago. A-Rod hit .300 with 57 homers, 142 RBI, and 125 runs scored. He broke his own record for homers in a season by a shortstop. Frankly, if anyone is worth $25 million a year in the majors right now, it's A-Rod. He's worth my MVP vote in the Junior Circuit (if I had one.)
OFFICIAL WINNER: Miguel Tejada

American League Cy Young Award

Three-time Cy Young Award winner Pedro Martinez (20-4, 2.26 ERA) of the Red Sox deserves consideration. So does his teammate Derek Lowe (21-8, 2.58 ERA), who no-hit the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in April and proved he could be a reliable starter after proving his worth in the bullpen last year. Mark Buehrle (19-12, 3.58 ERA) of the White Sox may not be a household name, but he quietly had another productive campaign on the mound. Another non-descript pitcher named Roy Halladay (19-7, 2.93 ERA) also had a seemingly quiet but spectacular year on the hill for the Toronto Blue Jays. One pitcher wasn't so quiet, though. BARRY ZITO of the Oakland A's was superb and deserves the American League's Cy Young Award this year. He went 23-5 and led the league in victories. He also had a 2.75 ERA for the West Division champs. My vote would go to Zito.
OFFICIAL WINNER: Barry Zito

National League Most Valuable Player

Like the American League, the National League boasts a horde of deserving candidates for the MVP award this year. Outfielder Vladimir Guerrero (.336, 39 HR, 111 RBI, 106 runs scored, 40 SB, 206 hits) of the Expos garnered 200 hits for the second time in his career and nearly became another member of the prestigious 40-40 club. Right fielder Sammy Sosa (49 HR, 122 runs, 108 RBI) of the Cubs was left sitting on 499 career homers and has something to look forward to in 2003. Center fielder and switch hitter Lance Berkman (.292, 42 HR, 128 RBI) of the Astros maintained a steady pace all year long. Outfielder Shawn Green (42 HR, 114 RBI) of the Dodgers hit four homers in one game against Milwaukee and had another great year for LA. Second baseman Jeff Kent (.313, 37 HR, 108 RBI) of the Giants posted a career high in roundtrippers. The Phillies' Pat Burrell (37 HR, 116 RBI) had career highs in those two power departments. And, last year's NL Rookie of the Year Albert Pujols (.314, 34 HR, 127 RBI, 118 runs) of St. Louis showed no signs of the dreaded sophomore jinx. Above all rose the enigmatic and often-misunderstood BARRY BONDS of the pennant-winning Giants. His demeanor is questionable but he just might be the best offensive player to ever perform in the majors. After hitting a record 73 homers a year ago, pitchers walked Bonds this year a record 198 times (including 68 times intentionally.) However, he won his first NL batting title with a whopping .370 average to go along with 46 homers, 110 RBI, 117 runs scored, and an unbelievable .582 on-base percentage. In other words, he got on base nearly 60-percent of the time (that's sounds ridiculous, but true.) Even little leaguers are hard-pressed to reach base that often! Bonds is MVP, no doubt. And, he's earned my respect simply by letting his bat do the talking.
OFFICIAL WINNER: Barry Bonds

National League Cy Young Award

Braves are everywhere on my list of candidates for the NL Cy Young trophy. Lefty Tom Glavine (18-11, 2.96 ERA), righty Kevin Millwood (18-8, 3.24 ERA), and former starter and current bullpen closer John Smoltz (55 saves in 59 opportunities) all helped Atlanta to its 11th division crown in a row despite meager offensive support. Roy Oswalt (19-9, 3.01 ERA, 208 K) had a nice year on the rubber for the Astros. Now, Curt Schilling (23-7, 3.23 ERA, 316 K) of the Diamondbacks might have received my approval for Cy Young status had he not faltered in several decisions during the September stretch run. He was great for most of the year. But, again, it's RANDY JOHNSON of Arizona who would get my vote (again, if I had one) for the Cy Young Award. He should win his fifth Cy Young Award in 2002 considering he led the National League in all three "triple crown" categories for pitchers - wins, ERA, and strikeouts. He was 24-5 with a 2.32 ERA. He also led the Senior Circuit with 334 whiffs - the sixth time in his career that he has struck out 300 or more batters in a season.
OFFICIAL WINNER: Randy Johnson

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