Not since Dennis Eckersley in 1992 has a pitcher won the Most Valuable Player award in Major League Baseball. Eckersley was dominant in the closers role that year with the Oakland Athletics, notching up 51 saves on his way to both the Cy Young Award and MVP award for the American League. However, since 1992 not a single pitcher has won the MVP award in either league. Some would argue that Pedro Martinez should have won the award in 1999, a season where he won 23 games (including four shutouts), struck out 313 batters, and ended the season with a 2.07 ERA. Keep in mind Pedro put these numbers up in the very peak of the Steroid Era of baseball. Martinez instead finished second in voting to Texas Rangers catcher (and suspected roider) Pudge Rodriguez.
Every season a case is made for a pitcher to be in the conversation for the MVP award. Mariano Rivera’s name is thrown out every year, Roger Clemens in his prime and Pedro in the late 90s-early ‘00s were always discussed among the leagues best players up for the award. However, every season the Baseball Writers of America vote against pitchers. Writers, and fans, love the gaudy home run numbers for contenders that let players like Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz win the award. Even this season, Curtis Granderson is among the likely winners with his league leading 38 home runs. While Granderson and Red Sox first basemen Adrian Gonzalez are giving their best campaigns for the award, this year may be the year where a pitcher should be the winner, but will he?
Detroit Tigers RHP Justin Verlander has been one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball for the last several years. Turn on any of the games that he starts and you’ll see him throwing in the high 90’s and even breaking 100 mph late in the ball games. As of September 4th, Verlander had already won 21 games and struck out 224 batters, all while keeping the Tigers in the playoff hunt. Verlander is a lock for the Cy Young Award, but this season that should not be enough. In terms of value to the teams, Verlander is far and above the most valuable player on any team this season. Granderson, while having an extraordinary season, is benefited with hitting in front of Robinson Cano, Mark Texiera and Alex Rodriguez in the epic Yankee lineup. The same can be said for Gonzalez, batting third in the cushiony Red Sox order (a lineup including MVP candidates Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury). Verlander, however, pitches for a mediocre team with poor offensive support. So, why can’t the writers just vote for Verlander?
One of the biggest reasons why Verlander may not win the award is because he is not an everyday player. His dominance, while undeniable, only occurs every five games. Eckersley won the award in 1992 as the A’s closer, a role that allowed him to show his stuff every couple of games. Verlander is hindered by the rotational schedule, but that should not mean he can’t win the award.
It can easily be said that if Verlander was not on the Tigers this season than they would not be in the playoff race, let alone have a winning record. Looking at the other candidates, the Yankees would (probably) still be in a good position without the season Granderson has had. The same hold true with the Red Sox triple threat of candidates. Jose Bautista, the outfielder for Toronto, could not power the Blue Jays out of fourth place in the AL East this season. However, Verlander is the Tigers team. Miguel Cabrera has had a disappointing season after winning MVP last year. I would name other Tigers who are under performing, but can anybody even tell me another player on the team? Detroit will find itself in the playoffs as the AL Central winners, and it will all be because of Justin Verlander. He is the most valuable player on that team, now its just up to the voters to anoint him the Most Valuable Player in the league…like he should be.
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