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With the regular season over and the playoffs in high gear, it's time to reveal Sports Illustrated senior writer Tom Verducci's picks for baseball's major awards. Click on the photos for an action shot of his winners, or check out the selections of CNN/SI contributors Mark Bechtel, Tim Crothers, Jeff Pearlman and Ozzie Smith. | |
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| | One of the great run-producing seasons on a first-place
team in past 50
years. |
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2. Nomar Garciaparra,
Boston |
| | Huge season after finally moving into middle of the
order. |
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| | Emotional leadership and steady defense for best hitting
shortstop in Yankee
history. |
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4. Bernie Williams,
New
York |
| | Only DL time prevented higher finish for best player on
best team in
baseball. |
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5. Manny Ramirez,
Cleveland |
| | Production didn't waver when Jim Thome went
down. |
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| | Quiet consistency in free-agent-walk
year. |
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7. Alex Rodriguez,
Seattle |
| | One teammate called him the best player in
baseball. |
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| | Usual great defense complemented by .321
season. |
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| | Best numbers across the board in AL, but too many
meaningless
games. |
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| | Wouldn't be an MVP ballot without
him. |
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| | Greatest pure power season since the 1930s—and did it
for season-long
contender. |
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2. Mark McGwire,
St.
Louis |
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3. Andres Galarraga,
Atlanta |
| | Leadership, good glove and big righthanded bat Braves have
craved for
years. |
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| | Ignites the best offense in the
league. |
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5. Greg Vaughn,
San
Diego |
| | Surrounded by players having down years, he carried
Padres. |
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| | RBI machine was answer to getting protection for Jeff
Bagwell. |
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7. Trevor Hoffman,
San
Diego |
| | Padres were only team not to lose a game when taking a
lead into ninth
inning. |
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8. Jeff Kent,
San
Francisco |
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9. Chipper Jones,
Atlanta |
| | Most consistent player for best team in the
league. |
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10. Barry Bonds,
San
Francisco |
| | Big September underscored value to the
Giants. |
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