On April 23rd I posted about the incredible start Little Dusty was having. At the time he has leading the league both with 11 doubles and batting at a .365 clip. Believe it or not, not much has changed over the past five months.
He's leading the American League in batting (.330), hits (188), multiple-hit games (55) and runs (108) and third in doubles (43) and total bases (283). He has knocked in 22 runs in his last 19 games, is batting .600 over his last seven games, and has nine hits in 14 at-bats in the cleanup spot. -- this was taken off of Boston.com -- Pedroia also has 17 homers, 17 stolen bases and 76 runs batted in.
Can he actually win the MVP of the American League? I mentioned earlier that Youkilis had no shot. I'm not too sure about Pedroia the Destroia. Numbers aside, he is making a lot of noise at the right time of the year. Batting clean up will help his chances. Defensively, Lustin for Dustin is an above average fielder.
His competition for the award comes from White Sox outfielder Carlos Quentin (36 hr's, 100 rbi's) and Francisco Rodriguez (54 saves chasing the major league record of 58).
Willie Hernandez (1984, 32 saves, 9-3 record, 1.92 era) and Dennis Eckersely (1992, 51 saves, 7-1 record, 1.91 era) are the only relievers to ever win MVP awards. K-Rod's free agent year has been outstanding (2-2 record, 54 saves, 2.43 era). He would be my choice as the Cy Young winner over Cliff Lee. If Pedro Martinez did not win the MVP in 1999 because some New York writer refused to include him in the top ten of his ballot because Pedro was a pitcher, I don't think K-Rod will get consideration. Saves are an overrated stat.
Quentin has come out of nowhere to have an outstanding season and has to be considered the favorite. He has turned it up since the all star break hitting 14 home runs.
The best thing about the Duster is that he is the opposite of Robbie Cano. Cano is more concerned with the idea of looking cool while attempting to do his job. While Peds just wants to be successful and will do anything to do that. How many times have you watched the Red Sox second baseman dive in the 4-3 hole? How many times for the Yankee guy? Cano is far more talented but does not get the most out of his ability while MVPredroia gets every ounce out of what he has. I truly think Cano would like to swing and miss and look good while Dustin Pedroia only cares about getting the job done.
3 comments:
Ok let's count the Dustin nicknames. 1st you have Pedroia Paranoria Part II, Little Dusty, Pedroia the Destroia, Lustin for Dustin, the Duster, Peds and finally MVPedroia. Gotta be a record for one post. I like it...I like it a lot!
Now that Quentin is out, is Lil' Dusty the favorite? You can't give it to a closer!
Saves is a pretty overrated stat. I don't think K-Rodw will win it --if the Angels did not have him my guess the team would be 20-25 games over .500 instead of 30.
BTW -- do you think the short, white, balding sports writers will vote for one of their own? In places they don't talk about at parties, they want his name on that plaque, need his name on that plaque.
Post a Comment