Was Alex Rodriguez This Year’s Most Valuable Player?

The numbers say NO!




By: Russ Rose
Special to Yankees Talk Shop
November 19, 2003

Only twice in the past eight years has a player on a last place team been voted in as the Most Valuable Player in his league. The first to do it was Juan Gonzalez, who ironically received the award while playing with the 1996 Texas Rangers. The second to do it was this year’s recipient Alex Rodriguez, who also plays for the Texas Rangers. There is no clear-cut definition of what Most Valuable means. It is up to the individual voter to decide who the Most Valuable Player was. They decide the MVP in each league according to his value to his team. The MVP need not come from a division winner or other playoff qualifier.

The guidelines are as follows, as sent by MLB to the voting members:

1. Actual value of a player to his team, that is, strength of offense and defense.
2. Number of games played.
3. General character, disposition, loyalty and effort.
4. Former winners are eligible.
5. Members of the committee may vote for more than one member of a team.
You are also urged to give serious consideration to all your selections, from 1 to 10. A 10th-place vote can influence the outcome of an election. You must fill in all 10 places on your ballot.
Keep in mind that all players are eligible for MVP, and that includes pitchers and designated hitters.
Only regular-season performances are to be taken into consideration.

Now, technically speaking, Alex Rodriguez falls under the criteria used by the voters. However, and a some of you may disagree with me, how valuable is a guy’s stats to his team, when said team finished 25 games out of first place? What impact did Rodriguez’ numbers have on the scheme of things in the American League? The answer is little, if none at all. His team finished the season 20 games under 500. Is that Alex’s fault? You’d be an idiot if you said yes. However, when I think that the goal for the 30 teams in the major leagues is to try and make it to the playoffs, and hopefully, the world series I think Rodriguez’ numbers didn’t do much to increase the value of his team.

At least Barry Bonds’, who won the award for the 6th time, had a team finish first in its division and go to the playoffs. Are you telling me that Rodriguez was as equally valuable to his team’s success as Bonds was to his?

Let’s come a little closer to home. Compare Carlos Delgado’s numbers against those of Alex Rodriguez. First, the Toronto Blue Jays finished the season at 86-76 and in third place in the American League East. In the top three categories Rodriguez batted .298 with 47 home runs and 118 RBI. Delgado batted .302 with 42 home runs and 145 RBI. Let’s take it a step further. Rodriguez had a OBP of .396 and a SLG% of .600 for an OPS of .996. Delgado, on the other hand, had an OBP of .426 and a SLG% of .593 for an OPS of 1.019.

Now, let’s go to the defensive side of the ledger. Delgado, who plays first base, had an FP of .993, which was good enough for 7th in the AL at his position. Rodriguez, as we all know, plays shortstop and he had an FP of .989. That was the best in the AL at his position. Delgado handled the ball more than twice as many times as Rodriguez and had the higher fielding percentage. In every statistical category, except for SLG% (a difference of a mere .007), Carlos Delgado beat out Alex Rodriguez. Plus, his team finished with a better record and better standing. So, now who do you think deserved the MVP more? And, I won’t even get into the value of Jorge Posada’s contribution to his team’s success and all the other areas Jorge excels.

This is the unfortunate part of allowing the human factor in the voting for awards. It’s the subjectivity, rather than the objectivity, that causes one pen to mark a vote for one player while another pen votes for another player. Maybe, they should input all the data into a computer and let it spit out the names of those who most deserve to receive awards. I’m no computer, but there is no doubt in my mind that Alex Rodriguez wasn’t and isn’t the most valuable player in the American League. He doesn’t even qualify for Player of the Year, in my humble opinion. I’ve been hearing and reading that some of the votes went Rodriguez’ way, because of his consistent play. Another reason I’ve heard is because Alex has twice before come in second in the balloting. My response to those arguments is SO WHAT?

Go back to item number one in the criteria. “Actual value of a player to his team, that is, strength of offense and defense.” Right there Delgado wins. He wins on both counts. I’m sure that Delgado reflects well in both items #2 and #3. Nowhere does it say in the criteria about overall consistency or where a player placed in previous voting. The closest thing to that area is former winners are eligible.

Recognition is important. Equally important is recognizing the real most valuable players each year. You will never hear me say Alex Rodriguez isn’t a great player or a valuable player. However, this year he wasn’t the most valuable player in the American League. Carlos Delgado deserved it more.

PLAY BALL!


(c) 2003 Yankees Talk Shop @ ezboard.com

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PREJUDICIAL INFLUENCES?

Hideki Matsui finds little recognition for playing in Japan and the Bronx


By: Russ Rose
Special to Yankees Talk Shop
November 16, 2003

The definition of a "rookie" by Major League Baseball is as follows: Any player who has accumulated less than 130 at bats and 50 innings pitched or fewer than 45 days on a roster prior to the year being considered. Period. End of definition. No other criteria is used by Major League Baseball. According to the criteria used by MLB Hideki Matusi is a "rookie." No prior experience playing baseball in another country is addressed by Major League Baseball. Therefore, Matsui's 2003 season was his first in the MLB. Among other "rookies" in his 2003 class Matsui was ahead of the curve. In a head to head comparison with this year's winner, Angel Berroa, Matsui's numbers were better. Judge for yourself.


Player/Team BA H R RBI HR OBP SLG% OPS

Berroa/KC .273 163 92 73 17 .338 .452 .789

Matsui/NYY .287 179 82 106 16 .353 .435 .788


Using the strict definition by the MLB the voting writers should have had no choice, but to vote for Matsui. Can anyone say that Matsui wasn't a bigger influence on the outcome of his team's standing than Berroa's? Matsui and the Yankees were still playing late in October, while Berroa's Kansas City Royals went home after September 30th. Since 1995 three Japanese players have been voted as Rookies of the Year. Hideo Nomo of the Los Angeles Dodgers (1995), Kazuhiro Sasaki (2000) and Ichiro Suzuki (2001) of the Seattle Mariners were voted the prestigious award after having played in Japan. Nomo beat out runner up Chipper Jones 118 points to 104. Sasaki clobbered runner up Terrence Long 104 to 83 votes and Ichiro Suzuki won it over C.C. Sabathia 138 to 73 votes. Nomo played for the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes from 1990 to 1993. In 1990 he won both the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards in the Pacific Coast League. Kazuhiro Sasaki was the best relief pitcher Japan has ever produced. He played for the Yokohama BayStars from 1990-99 before joining the Seattle Mariners as a free agent. In 1998, Sasaki was named the Central League's Most Valuable Player. Ichiro Sazuki played for the Orix Blue Wave from 1992-2000 where he won three MVP trophies (1994-96).

So what's changed? Compare those three ROY winners against Hideki Matsui. Matsui played for the Yomiuri Giants from 1993-2002. He won three MVP awards. In his final year with the Giants Matsui hit 50 home runs and knocked in 107 RBI while batting .334. So what? How does Matsui not get the same consideration. I think part of the reason is writers have the belief that Japanese baseball is on par with Major League Baseball. Six or eight or ten years playing in Japan is equivilant to playing in the United States. If voters from the BBWAA are going to use that logic, then what about guys who played in the old Negro leagues? Jackie Robinson, Joe Black, Don Newcombe and Jim (Junior) Gilliam were all previous players in the Negro Leagues who went on to the MLB and won Rookie of the Year. What about players from the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Puerto Rico? Are we going to sanction everyone who played baseball somewhere else not called the United States? Not voting for a player, because he's played somewhere else before coming here is setting a dangerous precident. Where do you draw the line?

And what about the team a guy plays for? It's no secret that a lot of the fishwrap news hounds are anti-Yankees. They don't like the Yankees, their owner, the organization or anything else associated with them. I'm betting that in addition to Matsui previously playing in Japan his three year, $21M contract to play in the Bronx didn't help sway votes his way either. It looks like a lot of managers and coaches feel the same way as some of the writers do. Take this year's all-star rookie team. Hideki Matsui is nowhere to be found. The managers, too, feel that Godzilla is no rookie. But if his address was in San Salvador, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic or Mexico would they feel the same way? My guess is NO!

Look guys, if you don't like the criteria for Rookie of the Year, then get Major League Baseball to change the criteria. Don't penalize somebody who is playing within the specified rules and trying to put his best foot forward every time he steps out onto the field. Until there is a change in the rules or criteria all you need to do is look at the player, look at his numbers and if he's eligible under the rules vote for him. Don't let subjective opinions get in the way of voting as the rules state. Now that shouldn't be too hard should it?

PLAY BALL!



(c) 2003 Yankees Talk Shop @ ezboard.com

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By: Russ Rose
Special to Yankees Talk Shop
November 5, 2003

(c) 2003 Yankees Talk Shop @ ezboard.com

Redistribution, rewriting, rebroadcast, or republication of this story is prohibited without the prior written consent of Yankees Talk Shop and it's affilitates

Joe Torre’s Legacy Goes On

After eight winning seasons this Torre is no “Clueless" Joe.




By: Russ Rose
Special to Yankees Talk Shop
November 5, 2003




This past year was arguably the toughest year of manager Joe Torre’s career in Yankee land. For the first time in the eight years since he has been at the helm of New York Yankees Torre publicly denounced his boss, George Steinbrenner. Torre felt like he was betrayed by Steinbrenner for overruling Torre’s decision to send, then struggling, Jose Contreras to the minor leagues. Torre wanted Contreras to continue pitching, but do it in a less stressful atmosphere than Yankee Stadium. Steinbrenner, who told Joe he could do what he thought was best concerning Contreras, ordered Contreras to be sent down to Tampa Florida to work with pitching guru Billy Conners. Steinbrenner’s reversal of backing angered Torre. Torre felt like Steinbrenner had made him look like a liar after he had told Contreras he was going to the minor leagues.

Another bone of contention actually started during the off-season, but continued into spring training and the regular season. Steinbrenner was miffed that the Yankees had been unceremoniously ushered out of the 2002 ALDS by the eventual world champion Anaheim Angels. The Boss put the onus of losing squarely on the shoulders of Torre’s coaches telling them “they had to work harder.” Otherwise, it was suggested, some of Torre’s lieutenants could be shown the road out of town. Torre defended his coaches saying they work very hard to insure that the players are prepared to play.

Torre also had to deal with major injuries to Derek Jeter and Bernie Williams. He had to deal with a struggling Jason Giambi, a fading Robin Ventura, and a vacant right field where no one could step up and securely earn that position. The bullpen was a shambles and Torre had to make more moves than Bobby Fischer in a chess match. Remember names like Brandon Claussen, Al Reyes, Armando Benitez, Jesse Orosco, Chris Hammond, Dan Miceli and that human gas can Juan Acevedo? There were 18 (interchanging Jose Contreras and Jeff Weaver as one position) different relievers in the Yankee bullpen during the 2003 season. The Yankees’ bullpen, which had been one of the team’s strengths in days gone by, became one of the team’s biggest liabilities. Every time the bullpen was called upon the Yankee faithful, Torre and his coaches closed their eyes and crossed their fingers.

Not only did Torre have his differences with George Steinbrenner, but his long time bench coach Don Zimmer did too. Zimmer early in the year called out the Boss by saying that whenever things with the team were going right it was “Tampa’s team.” When things were going poorly it was “Joe Torre’s team.” Zimmer came to Torre’s defense and stated that with everything going on around him Torre was putting in his finest year as the manager of the Yankees. Zimmer said he was not being treated fairly and he was tired of being something for Steinbrenner to kick around. After Jorge Posada made the last out of this year’s World Series Zimmer announced his had had enough and he was quitting the Yankees. Torre spoke to Popeye, but was unable to change Zim’s mind.

For the third year in a row the Yankees failed to win the World Series. The fact they made it to the series two out of the last three years doesn’t cut any ice with King George. To George the only thing more important than winning is breathing and differences between the two is miniscule. Everyone knew that the Boss wasn’t happy about failing to win a ring again. Everyone knew that Mount George was simmering, boiling and bubbling and that the explosion was soon to come. When it did the first casualty was hitting coach Rick Down.

During the playoffs, specifically the World Series, the Yankees failed time and again to move up or score runners on base. The lack of timely hitting, despite excellent pitching by the starters and resurgent bullpen, was the cause of the Yanks downfall. Although they out hit, out scored and out pitched the Florida Marlins in the World Series, the fact is the Bombers couldn’t get two hits when they needed them. They left 91 potential runs stranded on base during the series and as a result Rick Down was let go.

In addition to Don Zimmer leaving, another of Torre’s longtime confidents, pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre hasn’t decided if he wants to return in 2004. Stott, as he is affectionately called, was also upset with George Steinbrenner’s continual meddling and comments. Stottlemyre, who is a cancer survivor, may simply decide he’s had enough and call it quits. According to GM Brian Cashman Stottlemyre’s decision will be made before November 13th.

Obviously, the Yankees had some coaching holes to fill. They made some great moves. By promoting third base coach Willie Randolph to bench coach, moving Lee Mazzilli from first base to third base and hiring the “Hitman” Don Mattingly as the new hitting coach the Bombers have surrounded Joe Torre with a professional group of men who know the ins and outs of baseball. They all have history with the Yankees and they have three men who could ably step into the manager’s role should Joe Torre leave after next season.

As I stated at the top, the 2003 season was arguably the best and toughest managing job Joe Torre has done since he took the reigns in 1996. When Joe Torre was hired by George Steinbrenner Torre was scornfully nicknamed “Clueless Joe.” Everyone wondered why the Boss would hire this guy. Well, in eight years Joe Torre has guided the Yankees to the playoffs each year. He has won six American League championships and four World Series rings. Joe Torre is the most successful manager ever under George Steinbrenner’s watch. Torre has answered all his critics time and again. Have all his moves been golden? No, of course they haven’t. But, Joe has made far more good moves than bad ones. You don’t win as often as the Yankees have in the last eight years without good leadership.

The legacy of Joe Torre is firmly entrenched into the history known as the New York Yankees. How much longer after next year will it continue? Only Joe Torre knows the answer to that question. No matter what Joe does after the 2004 season he has earned his ticket to the Hall of Fame. Personally, I hope he stays longer. As a Yankees’ fan I just want to say, thanks Joe. Thanks for your hard work and dedication to this team. Thanks for your loyalty, class and dignity. Thanks for everything Joe!


PLAY BALL!

(c) 2003 Yankees Talk Shop @ ezboard.com

Redistribution, rewriting, rebroadcast, or republication of this story is prohibited without the prior written consent of Yankees Talk Shop and it's affilitates