MLB: American League MVP Race

With the dog days of August coming to a close and October on the horizon, various Major League Baseball races are beginning to heat up. Among them is the race for the American League Most Valuable Player trophy. Below is a list of the top five candidates for the honor, and how they stack up against each other as September looms.

1.) Curtis Granderson, Yankees CF (36 HR, 103 RBI, .278 AVG, 119 Runs)

            Before the start of the season, Granderson figured in as the 6^th hole hitter in the stacked Yankees lineup. Since then, Granderson has put together an amazing season while manning the sacred centerfield for New York. Although Granderson is benefited by hitting in front of Mark Texiera and Alex Rodriguez, he has been one of the pivotal reasons why the Yankees are once again one of the best teams in baseball. Even with injuries to Rodriguez and an early season slump from Derek Jeter, the Yankees have remained neck and neck with the Boston Red Sox in the race for the AL East crown; and Granderson’s league leading 103 RBI’s are a huge reason for that.

2.) Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox 1B (23 HR, 102 RBI, .348 AVG, 181 Hits)

            This past off season the Red Sox made the biggest splash in baseball in landing the power hitting Gonzalez from the Padres in a trade for prospects (Anthony Rizzo?!?). With the help of the Green Monster at Fenway Park, the opposite field specialist has been able to amass a career high in hits and the leagues top batting average. The only thing that is separating Gonzalez and Granderson in a (literally) neck and neck race for MVP is Gonzalez’s power numbers. Stay tuned to this race because it could actually come down to which team wins the AL East and which secedes to the Wild Card that decides this years MVP winner.

3.) Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox 2B (16 HR, 69 RBI, .307 AVG, 24 Steals)

            Pedroia, the Red Sox scrappy second baseman and former MVP winner is once again in the race for the leagues top performer. This season Pedroia is seeing an increase in steals and walks while still hitting plenty of home runs and doubles at the top of the Red Sox order. Pedroia’s season may be slightly overshadowed by that of teammate Adrian Gonzalez, but don’t be surprised to see Pedroia make a late season push for MVP as the Red Sox battle it out with the Yankees for the AL East.

4.) Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox CF (23 HR, 81 RBI, .312 AVG, 162 Hits)

            Four spots down the list and we have our third Boston player. After missing all but 18 games last season due to injury, the 27 year old Red Sox outfielder has put together a career year. His 23 home runs is 14 more than his previous career high as are his 81 RBIs. Similar to Pedroia, Ellsbury’s monster season is being overshadowed by Gonzalez’s, but the young centerfielder should not be overlooked; a dual threat outfielder is hard to come by, and the Red Sox seem to have the best of the bunch.

5.) Justin Verlander, Tigers P (19-5, 2.28 ERA, 212 SO, 0.878 WHIP)

            Verlander, Detroits ace starting pitcher, is cruising to his first career Cy Young award, and he still could steal the MVP from the four position players in the race. The Tigers All-Star is having a dream season, with 19 wins before the first day of September (and his second career no hitter to boot), Verlander has steamrolled the competition night in and night out. Unfortunately, the MVP voters have historically veered away from pitchers when deciding who gets the award. However, with a strong finish and 22+ wins, Verlander could still become the first pitcher to win the MVP since Dennis Eckersley did it for the Oakland Athletics in 1992 (Eckersley finished that season with a 7-1 record and 51 saves that season).

Honorable Mentions: Jose Bautista

What in the World is Wrong with AJ Burnett? 5 Theories from a Yankee Fan

Before the 2009 MLB season, pitcher AJ Burnett signed an $80 million deal with the New York Yankees after pitching very well for the Toronto Blue Jays and Florida Marlins before that. However, in his career with the Yankees Burnett has posted brutal numbers, racking up a 32-34 record with a 4.72 ERA in 92 games (stats courtesy of BaseballReference.com). Here are a few theories as to why AJ has gone AWOL in New York.

5.) AJ Burnett is Bipolar 

            Since joining the Yankees Burnett has been a roller coaster on an off the field. In 2010 he showed up to the ballpark with a huge black eye, and then in 2011 in an attempt to reverse his mojo he dyed his hair bleach blonde (looking strikingly similar to Draco Malfoy) only to shave his head before his next start. Watching him on the mound is like watching a tourettes patient go grocery shopping; cool, calm and collected one pitch to flailing around before the next.

4.) Burnett is sleeping with Minka Kelly

            Think about this. Burnett’s problems started with the Yankees at around the same time that star captain Derek Jeter started a public relationship with actress Minka Kelly. My theory: AJ has been sleeping around with Minka behind Derek’s back, and the fear of being outed in this scandalous relationship has him going bonkers on the mound. Every pitch he’s looking over his shoulder at the shortstop position, wondering when the day will be where Derek and his army of Yankee purists storm the field and attack Burnett with World Series rings and foam fingers. 

3.) Burnett is a Double Agent Working for the Red Sox

            In 2008, the race for Burnett came down to the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox (as so many free agency races do). My theory is that Boston GM Theo Epstein offered AJ Burnett more backdoor money to sign with the Yankees and suddenly implodes as a starting pitcher. Epstein knew that Joe “Binder” Girardi would never take a pitcher out of the rotation who was making so much money. In an effort to defeat the evil empire, Epstein planted Burnett deep inside the Yankees, where he is now being used as sleeper cell taking the Yankees down from the inside. Think I’m crazy? Burnett’s stats against Boston in the last 3 seasons: 1-6 with a 4.70 ERA.

2.) Burnett is Joe Girardi’s Illegitimate Son

            AJ Burnett signed with the Yankees in 2009 and pitched well for them on their way to the franchises 27^th World Series title. My theory is that after the celebration ended, manager Joe Girardi took AJ aside and informed him that Girardi was his father. The manager did this as a way of taking the weight off his shoulders, hoping that the ecstasy of a World Series ring would erase the years of neglect. Instead, AJ went out in 2010 and 2011 and pitched like a 12-year-old boy who was pissed at his coach/dad. Think about any coach’s son you ever played with; all the talent in the world but when Daddy pisses them off they go bananas. This also explains why Girardi has been so adamant about leaving AJ in the rotation with a starting job.

1.) AJ Burnett is Just Not That Good

            Na, nothing is ever that simple in sports. 

Welcome to The Jockstrap

Hello and welcome to The Jockstrap! This blog will be a place to get opinionated posts on the happenings of the sports and entertainment world. Featured on this blog will be my views on the news of several sports teams, including the New York Yankees, New York Jets, New York Giants, New York Knicks, the Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, UConn Huskies and much more! My name is Kevin Jarboe, the manager and contributor to The Sports Pouch. I am a second year Journalism student at the University of Connecticut, a resident of Trumbull, CT and die-hard sports fan. Thank you for entering the world of The Jockstrap, and I hope you enjoy what I have to say.