Here are my 2011 Award Winners along with the other contenders listed 1-5. Also my pre-season picks are included.
American League Award Winners
MVP
1. Justin Verlander, RHP—Detroit Tigers
Verlander carried a mediocre team into contention and was about as brilliant as a pitcher can possibly be for the entire season. The Tigers record makes them look better than they were at mid-season when they were far from a playoff lock. Verlander won the pitching Triple Crown with 24 wins (5 losses); a 2.40 ERA; and 250 strikeouts in 251 innings.
If you use advanced statistics like WAR as a barometer, Verlander was second in the American League behind Jose Bautista with an 8.5.
The combination of being the best at his position and being imperative to the team’s success—they wouldn’t have been where they are without him—makes him the MVP.
2. Jose Bautista, OF/3B—Toronto Blue Jays
3. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF—Boston Red Sox
4. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B—Boston Red Sox
5. Miguel Cabrera, 1B—Detroit Tigers
Before the season, I picked Carl Crawford.
Yes. Well.
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Cy Young Award
1. Justin Verlander, RHP—Detroit Tigers
See above.
2. CC Sabathia, LHP—New York Yankees
3. Jered Weaver, RHP—Los Angeles Angels
4. James Shields, RHP—Tampa Bay Rays
5. Mariano Rivera, RHP—New York Yankees
My preseason pick was Verlander.
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Rookie of the Year
1. Ivan Nova, RHP—New York Yankees
Nova has overcome every obstacle put in front of him including an “odd man out” treatment from the club that quite probably prevented him from winning 20 games as they had too many starters and Nova still had minor league options remaining. He’s fearless, he’s cool and he comes up big when the Yankees need him to. He went 16-4 with a 3.70 ERA and was completely reliable on a team that had more questions at the beginning of the season than they care to admit—including a failure to truly believe in Nova.
2. Eric Hosmer, 1B—Kansas City Royals
3. Jeremy Hellickson, RHP—Tampa Bay Rays
4. Mark Trumbo, 1B—Los Angeles Angels
5. Jordan Walden, RHP—Los Angeles Angels
My preseason pick was Kyle Drabek of the Blue Jays. He wound up back in the minors.
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Manager of the Year
1. Joe Maddon—Tampa Bay Rays
Maddon did a magnificent job in leading the Rays from “out” of contention into the playoffs. Had the Red Sox held onto their playoff spot, I’d have picked Joe Girardi, but the late season run by the Rays stole a playoff spot and the MOY award for Maddon. Girardi did a magnificent job this year and that must be noted.
2. Joe Girardi—New York Yankees
3. Jim Leyland—Detroit Tigers.
4. Mike Scioscia—Los Angeles Angels
5. Ron Washington—Texas Rangers
My preseason pick was Leyland.
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National League Award Winners
MVP
1. Matt Kemp, CF—Los Angeles Dodgers
Kemp’s come a long way from being benched and ripped publicly by the club for his lazy, disinterested play and poor attitude that seemed to have come from going “Hollywood”.
He dedicated himself to the game in 2011 and almost won the Triple Crown while playing Gold Glove defense in center field. He put up massive numbers with 39 homers, 126 RBI, a .324 batting average, a .399 on base and 76 extra base hits.
2. Ryan Braun, LF—Milwaukee Brewers
3. Prince Fielder, 1B—Milwaukee Brewers
4. Lance Berkman, RF—St. Louis Cardinals
5. Clayton Kershaw, LHP—Los Angeles Dodgers
My preseason pick was Albert Pujols.
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Cy Young Award
1. Clayton Kershaw, LHP—Los Angeles Dodgers
Kershaw won the National League pitching Triple Crown with 21 wins, a 2.28 ERA and 248 strikeouts in 233 innings. He walked 54 and allowed only 15 homers.
2. Roy Halladay, RHP—Philadelphia Phillies
3. Cliff Lee, LHP—Philadelphia Phillies
4. Ian Kennedy, RHP—Arizona Diamondbacks
5. Craig Kimbrel, RHP—Atlanta Braves
My preseason pick was Lee.
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Rookie of the Year
1. Craig Kimbrel, RHP—Atlanta Braves
Never mind the games he blew late in the season, Kimbrel struck out 127 in 77 innings and saved 46 games for the Braves. They collapsed, but it wasn’t because of Kimbrel.
2. Freddie Freeman, 1B—Atlanta Braves
3. Brandon Beachy, RHP—Atlanta Braves
4. Vance Worley, RHP—Philadelphia Phillies
5. Wilson Ramos, C—Washington Nationals
My preseason pick was Kenley Jansen.
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Manager of the Year
1. Kirk Gibson—Arizona Diamondbacks
This is partially good work and partially managing a team from whom not much was expected. Gibson’s intensity and the way it rubbed off on his players and the Diamondbacks won the NL West title.
2. Charlie Manuel—Philadelphia Phillies
3. Don Mattingly—Los Angeles Dodgers
4. Ron Roenicke—Milwaukee Brewers
5. Tony LaRussa—St. Louis Cardinals
My preseason pick was Mattingly.
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