AL Central In Review: Awards Time
Well, the Sox couldn’t quite dig themselves out of the 2-0 hole that they dug for themselves in Tampa, so one week after their dramatic victory over the Twins in a one-game tiebreaker, it’s already the offseason for the last team standing in the AL Central. It was an interesting season, if not a dominant one for any squad. Detroit and Cleveland were expected to dominate, but they underachieved and finished last and third, respectively. Minnesota and Chicago were tabbed for the second division, but they were the only factors in the race from June onward.
So, since it’s the end of the year, the simple thing to do would be hand out awards for the best performances of the year, and I’m all about the simple thing at this point.
AL Central MVP: Joe Mauer, Twins (.328/.413/.451, 9 HR, 85 RBI)
Apologies to: Justin Morneau, Twins (.300/.374/.499, 23 HR, 129 RBI), Miguel Cabrera, Tigers (.292/.349/.537, 37 HR, 127 RBI), and Carlos Quentin, White Sox (.288/.394/.571, 36 HR, 100 RBI)
This is the award that nobody wanted to win, apparently. It was all Quentin’s through mid-August, when he fragged himself out of the lineup. Morneau was the next heir apparent, but his disappearing act as the Twins lurched along in September gave his final numbers an empty feeling. Cabrera has the stats, but most of those impressive totals were accumulated after the Tigers fell out of the race early on. That leaves Mauer, who almost certainly won’t get much love from the writers for league MVP because of his unimpressive homer and RBI numbers. However, he won his second batting title (the only AL catcher to do that, ever) and stayed healthy all season, filling box scores in the process.
AL Central Cy Young: Cliff Lee, Indians (22-3, 2.54 ERA)
Apologies to: John Danks, White Sox (12-9, 3.32 ERA)
No surprise here, as Lee continued his dominance even after his hefty rotation compatriot, C.C. Sabathia, was shipped to Milwaukee. Lee was incredibly consistent, living on the black all year long and making batters look silly. Danks was excellent, but not anywhere near Lee’s class.
AL Central Rookie of the Year: Alexei Ramirez, White Sox (.290/.317/.475, 21 HR, 77 RBI)
Apologies to: Denard Span, Twins (.294/.387/.432, 6 HR, 47 RBI), Armando Galarraga, Tigers (13-7, 3.73 ERA)
Ramirez may have as much athletic ability as the rest of the Sox’ lineup put together, and he provided a needed spark and bit of flash at the plate and in the field. Span surpassed all expectations filling in for an injured Michael Cuddyer, and Galarraga was the surprising rock of Detroit’s rotation.
AL Central Manager of the Year: Ron Gardenhire, Twins
Apologies to: Ozzie Guillen, White Sox
This one could have gone either way, but Gardy almost certainly had less to work with than Ozzie, and they had identical results through 162 games. Gardenhire continues to do it with mirrors, as the Twins actually improved after cutting ties with the best pitcher in baseball (Johan Santana), a perennial Gold Glover in center (Torii Hunter) and the worst free-agent pitcher signing since Barry Zito (Carlos Silva). Who woulda thunk it? Meanwhile, Ozzie held things together despite attacks from both without and within.
Enjoy the offseason, and we’ll see you in the spring.
1 comments
Dizzy
Can I please add apologies to Zack Greinke and Gil Meche to the Cy Young list? They were definitely no Cliff Lee, but they both had similar lines (and one could argue, more consistency) than Danks. I can’t fault the pick, just looking for some Royals love, as that’s the only category they hold a prayer in even having a runner-up finisher…
I hope you are up for it again next season!!
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Oh, by the way, the “Champaign County YMCA” no longer exists. The official name is now the “Stephens Family YMCA” (the website has not been updated, but check out the latest program guide). And no, it’s not just the name of the building. It’s the name of the organization.
Very inspired Photochops as well….
Props on the new YMCA dig. I think it’s a terrible spot for it, but then again, I’m not well-to-do and I’m not willing to drive 15 minutes at $4/gallon to exercise for an hour.
http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/do-loud-pipes-save-lives/1119/ Are you a smoker, too? I feel like I’m just getting recycled arguments.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/dangerous_motorcycle_safety_myths/index.html “Myth 2: Loud Pipes Save Lives”
Yes, I also love the idea of the downtown! However, the “turds” that ride Harley’s or any other motorcycle have the right to ride their motorcycles regardless of the “loudness” anywhere they want. They are buying gas, hence they are contributing to the motor fuel tax that…
Yup, this was the year I realized there’s no way this is my last CU marathon, even though I’m gradumacating next week.Where else am I gonna get cheered on by 70+ year old heart-of-gold volunteers who smile at me so genuinely I could believe I’m their granddaughter?…
I always have a good, but disappointed, laugh when marathon time creeps up and I start seeing posts on the WCIA Facebook page lamenting race day and how difficult it is to get around town that day. One this year said, “can’t they just go run in…
Reminds me of Total Football (soccer) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Football
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Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?
hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.
Okay, almost 24 hours later and I finally got Issac’s Summer joke. I’m an idiot.
Excellent. I am glad sometimes American dreams are encouraged, rather than stifled.
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@Dan - Wow. Unfortunately, I have to refrain from further comment due to a previous employment relationship. But with that brief context you might be able to imagine possible comments or responses I could have.