With the first half of the 2008 season at a close, there have been many standout performances from some and disappointing year's from others. Let's get straight to it, here are my Midseason Awards for 2008:
AL MVP:
Carlos Quentin, Chicago White Sox
I am going with the surprise pick here. Quentin has lead the resurgent Chicago White Sox all season long by blasting 21 HRs and driving in 68 runs.
He is a major reason why the White Sox currently reside atop the AL Central division. After a disappointing season last year in Arizona, Quentin arrived in the south side of the Windy City with a bang.
Honorable Mentions:
Josh Hamilton, Texas; Kevin Youkilis, Boston; Ian Kinsler, Texas
NL MVP:
Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies
Utley has played great for the NL East-leading Phillies. He leads the team with a .291 batting average, and is only second to Ryan Howard with 25 HRs and 69 RBI. He is the face of the Phillies and just keeps on getting better. His bat, along with his defense, has kept Philadelphia atop the standings all season long.
Honorable Mentions:
Aramis Ramirez, Chicago; Dan Uggla, Florida; Albert Pujols, Ryan Ludwick, St. Louis
AL Cy Young
Cliff Lee, Cleveland Indians
In my mind, there is no doubt who deserves this award. Lee has been spectacular for the Tribe and their run-starved team. His 12 wins put him tied in first in the AL and his ERA is only second in the league behind Justin Duchscherer.
Also, his K/BB ratio is better than 5:1. Even after cooling off from his out-of-this-world start to the year, he continues to baffle AL lineups.
Honorable Mentions:
Roy Halladay, Toronto; Justin Duchscherer, Oakland; Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders, Los Angeles
NL Cy Young
Brandon Webb, Arizona Diamondbacks
Webb leads all of baseball with 13 wins and has dominated hitters as everyone expects. His statistics have been somewhat quiet because of the other two dominating young hurlers in the league, Tim Lincecum and Edinson Volquez.
Although he has fallen off a bit since mid-June, he is still leading the sub-par Arizona Diamondbacks to first place in the NL West.
Honorable Mentions:
Tim Lincecum, San Francisco; Edinson Volquez, Cincinnati; Dan Haren, Arizona
AL Rookie of the Year:
Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
Longoria wins this one in a close race over Joba Chamberlain. Since being called up, he has shown why he was so highly touted as a minor leaguer. He has blasted 16 homers to go along with 53 RBI and an .861 OPS. He has been selected to the All-Star Game in his rookie season, and will participate in the Home Run Derby on Monday.
Honorable Mentions:
Joba Chamberlain, New York; Armando Galarraga, Detroit; Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston
NL Rookie:
Geovanny Soto, Chicago Cubs
This was a much tougher race to call because there are so many impact rookies in the NL this year. However, it became a battle of Cubs, with Soto beating out OF Kosuke Fukudome.
Soto has excelled in the starting lineup, hitting .288 with 16 blasts and 56 RBI. He has played pretty much everyday even though he is a catcher. He has just destroyed lefthanded pitching while still playing well against RHPs.
Honorable Mentions:
Kosuke Fukudome, Chicago; Joey Votto, Cincinnati; Jay Bruce, Cincinnati
AL Manager:
Joe Maddon, Tampa Bay Rays
To have a roster filled with youngsters on a franchise that has never won more than 70 games and still sit near the AL East lead is phenomenal. He has done a great job keeping his team from falling apart thus far and it always helps when you finally get a bullpen.
As the skipper of the biggest surprise of the season, Maddon runs away with this one.
Honorable Mentions:
Terry Francona, Boston; Ron Gardenhire, Minnesota; Ozzie Guillen, Chicago
NL Manager:
Lou Piniella, Chicago Cubs
Could this be the year? After a century of defeat, will the baseball Gods finally grant Cubs fans their wish?
Well, so far Piniella has done his part, as he currently holds the best record in baseball. With a team featuring Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Zambrano, Derrek Lee, and Aramis Ramirez it's hard not to. Piniella will and should win this award at season's end, as long as the Cubs hold on as the best team in the NL.
Honorable Mentions:
Charlie Manuel, Philadelphia; Tony La Russa, St. Louis; Fredi Gonzalez, Florida
comments (6) write a comment »
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2 months ago
I think it's a stretch putting Quentin as the AL MVP ahead of your aforementioned hon. mention candidates. Also, I think Lincecum deserves the Cy Young thus far. He straight carved up the Cubbies today going 8 strong. That being said, good work in compiling the info for this article.
2 months ago
John, nice article. The contributions on Longoria and Soto to their respective teams has been the biggest different this season. Do you think both will continue their pace as favorites to win the award?
from 2 months ago
I think Longoria will keep his production up all year. I do not think any of the other rookies will bump him as the favorite for the award. Soto, I am less sure about. A whole seasons worth of wear and tear on a catcher could get to him. The most games he has caught in a year in the minors is 110. I could easily see him fall apart or get hurt in August or September.
2 months ago
Good list...there are several names that could be tossed around for each category. I do like La Russa right now for manager of the NL simply because of the bunch of no names having great seasons. I think Manuel should get some serious votes also.
The Cubs were supposed to be good and Piniella is doing what is needed to keep the team motivated.
from 2 months ago
You cant give a manger who managed less than 1/2 a season considerations for manajo of the year, unless the mets win by some ridiculous number, like a 7 game lead in the division.
from 2 months ago
Oh my bad.. I was talking about Jerry Manuel.. I think you were talking about Charlie Manuel.. whoops...
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