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7:30:00 PM EDT
Feeling Happy
The MLB Season that was
Well, we had one helluva MLB season in 2006, now 162 games are done for all 30 teams. For 22 of those including the no longer defending World Champions Chicago Whitesox it's all done, wait until Spring Training once again. And it only seems like yesterday that it was Spring Training. Another great summer in the books. Now it's time to look back from the stories, to the awards, to the oncoming post-season.
The Tigers surprise everyone. Coming into this season, no one would've been surprised if the Tigers had finished in last. Especially with Jim Leylands comments about not knowing anything about the American League. Looking at the Royals I take that back, second to last, where some people including myself had the them finishing. Jim Leyland got his crew together and had a season no one expected. Though it might be ended very quickly by the Yankees in the first round, great season to everyone in the organization.
The greatest road trip ever. If there were any doubt about the Mets at the beggining of the season this let them know there were for real. Going on a road trip, out west from New York no less, the New York Mets went out west and went 9-1 against the Phillies, Dodgers, and Diamndbacks, two of which are or almost were in the playoffs. And in the one loss they almost came back from a 8-1 deficit against the Dodgers to finish 8-5 after a new pitcher killed the rally.Even after the gmae they didn't miss a beat. At that point when the road trip was over the Mets could've played sub .500 ball for the rest of the season they would have still won 90 games.
The Marlins finish respectably. The Marlins '05 season was left for dead. A payroll of 15 million in which Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran is making more this season alone. They threw a whole bunch of minor leaguers out there and finished 78-84 being in the wildcard race until the final two weeks after being 20 games under .500 in May. ANd had a winning record at a point in mid'late september. Great season there.
Anabel Sanchez throws first no-hitter in 2 1/2 years. Marlins Rookie (wow you haven't said that often this year) Anabel Sanchez threw the Marlins 4th no hitter (and to think the Mets still don't' have one) and the MLB's first no-hitter in 2 and a half years. Ironically against the team that had the last no-hitter. The last out was a heart-stopping web gem by Haney Ramirez in which you hoped the play was made with the runner barely being called out. Now hopefully the Mets get what they are due next season.
The Arrival of Ryan Howard. The Phillies were very high on him when he was brought up in 2005. Based on that I picked him with the last pick in my fantasy draft (lucky me). As you can imagine I won my league. But not only did Howard beat the then MVP front-runner David Wright at the Homerun Derby (as I predicted) he lead the MLB in homeruns (58), RBI's (149), while having a .313 average despite striking out 181 times. He should win MVP.
Those were the top stories of the season besides a very grim(sley) one. Now time for the awards.
AL Manager of the Year: Is there any question? Any doubt? Jim Leyland, period end of story. The Tigers are no where without him.
NL Manager of the Year: Willie Randolph had way to much talent to even be considerd and had the executive of the year Omar Minaya to boot. Joe Girardi had nothing and had a winning record at some point in Septemeber after being 20 games under in May, with a very fragile emotional group with little confidence and will be the first manager to win manager and get fired by his team.
AL Rookie of the Year: When you heard why the Tigers were doing do well this year you heard about the young piching (and Kenny Rogers). And the posterboy for that Young pitching was Justin Verlander. He finished with a 3.63 which did not reflected how dominiating he truly was. There's really no one in the AL that can challenge him either.
NL Rookie of the Year: When you have another rookie finish with 110 RBI's call me. Despite the ridiculous seasons for rookies by Marlins Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla (all-star), Ryan Zimmerman was just to good. .287 110RBI's and a should be Gold Glove should be more than enough for him to take home the prize.
AL Cy Young: Only 7 times in Major League History has one pitcher lead there league in wins, ERA, K's, and innings pitched. This year was one of them. For the third year in a row Johan Santana has kicked ass in the second half and again he'll be rewarded with a Cy Young.
NL Cy Young: Only one pitcher in N.L. finished with an ERA under 3, was the ace for a team in the playoff hunt until yesterday, and still had the neccesary 15 wins. Enough said, Roy Oswalt.
AL MVP: see AL Cy Young. Yes you heard me right . The most valuable player on a team no one expected to win was Santana, and there record when he pitches is ridiculous. Without him the Twins would be no where despite the emergence of Liriano. They went 17-1 in a span of 18 games that brought them back his record in those was 3-0. And for all you Jeter guys it's understandible but look at the lineup around him, no way.
NL MVP: What can you say about the season Ryan Howard has had. The organization quits on the season and one young player says " I don't give a f**K" and keeps them in the wildcad race until the very end. Despite having Chase Utley he carried the team and not only that he was far above rest in numbers. I understand the people who support Pujols because of the load he does for the Cardinals, but Howards is undoubtably the pick.
The post-season is starting , you all now my pick to win it all. I predicted a subway series in the preview and it looks to be on that route.Let's see what happens.
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10/5/06 4:58 PM
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