MVP gets an INC.

It's too soon to determine who should win the award

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Is Alfonso Soriano really the front-runner for the American League MVP or has his exposure from playing in New York pushed him to the top of the list? How about Minnesota's Torii Hunter, who has a higher average, more RBIs and makes an impossible catch every week? Plus, Hunter leads the Twins in average, home runs, RBIs, runs and stolen bases, as opposed to Soriano, who leads his own team in only two of those categories. By the very definition of the award, isn't Hunter more valuable to his team than Soriano?
--Andy Bitter, Danville, Va.

It depends on what categories you'd like to examine. Soriano, for instance, leads Hunter in homers, multi-hit games, runs, hits, total bases, doubles, stolen bases and extra-base hits. I can be convinced that several players are having MVP seasons. Let's put it this way: There is no clear front-runner for the award and we have a long way to go. By the way, can we stop with this myth about New York exposure? Do you know how many Yankees have won the MVP award in the past quarter of a century? One -- Don Mattingly in 1985 -- and none during this remarkable run in the Joe Torre era. And the Mets have never had an MVP. In fact, if you take the past 77 MVPs from both leagues, guess how many have come from that overexposed, overrated metropolis. Two: Mattingly and Thurman Munson (1976). Two out of 77. The Milwaukee Brewers have more MVPs since 1964 than both New York teams combined.

Last week you wrote that Nomar Garciaparra should not be considered an MVP candidate because his team is out of the playoffs right now. Will you take this into consideration when you decide the NL MVP? A lot of people think Barry Bonds should win the award, but the Giants would not be in the playoffs if the season ended today.
--Jeff, Boston

I didn't mean to imply that Nomar isn't an MVP candidate -- he is -- it's just that I wouldn't give him the award if his team doesn't make the playoffs because there are deserving candidates from teams that will make the postseason. I think Garciaparra is very much in the mix, but can you say he's more valuable than Soriano, Hunter or Jason Giambi if their teams are playing in October and Nomar's isn't? The voting process is different if you put up historic numbers for a contender that doesn't make the playoffs (Bonds in 2001), but Nomar's stats don't fall in that category.

All the talk of Barry Bonds chasing 600 career home runs has me thinking of one of his other records -- 400 homers/400 stolen bases. When this was accomplished it was a huge deal, yet it is rarely brought up that Bonds is only 11 stolen bases from 500-500. How significant is that milestone?
--Grant Jackson, Pittsburgh

As far as records go, 500/500 is not that big. Does it reflect Bonds' amazing combination of speed and power? Of course. The guy is terrific. But I wouldn't call it a milestone, not like 600 homers. It doesn't lead SportsCenter. It doesn't pass the barstool test -- milestones the average fan likes to kick around at the bar. How about home runs and triples? Home runs and fewest strikeouts? It reminds me of what Mickey Mantle said at a banquet after Jose Canseco was honored for his 40-40 season: "If I had known you people would have made such a big deal out if this I would have done it a few times myself."

Why is so little said about the horrendous inconsistency of Shawn Green? Except for one hot stretch, the outfielder has been unproductive, yet there are some who think he is the Dodgers' MVP. That honor should go to Dave Roberts. What do you think?
--Dennis, Los Angeles

When you're going bad, you're inconsistent. When you're going good, you're streaky. No doubt, whatever you call it, Green has not been consistent. That said, I still believe he is the Dodgers' MVP. Los Angeles is such a poor offensive team that Green's periods of silence are noticeable. I wouldn't say that about Roberts, however. In general, when choosing an MVP, I lean toward the guy who does the most damage instead of table-setters. The pay scale for players reflects that philosophy.

What is wrong with Chan Ho Park's pitching? Is he injured, or is it that hard to adjust to the American League?
--Dave, Toronto

I believe early on he was hampered by his back or had not yet fully recovered from his groin strain because his velocity was noticeably down. He had no confidence in his fastball. Also, remember that in the NL his numbers away from Dodger Stadium -- a good pitcher's park -- weren't great. Going from the NL to the AL is tough enough for any pitcher, but going from Dodger Stadium to The Ballpark in Arlington is really difficult. I admit, I was suspect about this signing because of the change in leagues and parks.

How good are Randy Johnson's chances of catching Nolan Ryan's career record for 10-strikeout games? (Johnson has 180, Ryan has 215.)
--Nathan Roholt, Eugene, Ore.

One thing I've learned about the Unit is to never rule out anything with him. I mean, the guy throws 149 pitches in one start and then in his next, with a 100-degree heat index, nearly twirls a no-no in New York. The odds are probably greater that he won't get 215 than that he will, but I wouldn't bet against it.

Atlanta and Arizona are on a collision course to meet in the postseason. Do the Diamondbacks have the edge because of Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson, or does the Braves' depth give them the nod? How good would a series between these two clubs be?
--Tommie, Oregon

I give Arizona the slight nod because of Johnson and Schilling and a better bench. Last year, for instance, the Big Two threw 25 of Arizona's 45 innings in the NLCS against Atlanta. They made John Smoltz moot.

With their starting pitching, I don't see how the A's aren't atop the AL West. I loved the addition of Ray Durham, but I think they could use another bat. Any chance they'll pick one up if a big name clears waivers? How do you see the race in the AL West playing out?
--Ernie, Kalamazoo, Mich.

I still think Oakland's starting pitchers will assert themselves enough to get the team into the postseason, whether it's the division title or wild card. And yes, I think there is a chance the A's will pick up another bat. It depends on which players slip through waivers.

Who was your favorite catcher at Penn State when you were there? I keep seeing your name on this site and now that you're famous I just wanted to say hi. Glad things are going so well for you. The Tribe in '05!
--Mark Bernlohr, Akron, Ohio

Hey, we all know Penn State is a baseball school, especially in our days of the great coach Chuck Medlar. Yep, it's a baseball factory that carries the sports program there. Great to hear from a fellow Lion. And glad to know you're on board with Tribe GM Mark Shapiro's plan.

Sports Illustrated senior writer Tom Verducci covers the baseball beat for the magazine and is a regular contributor to CNNSI.com. Click here to send a question to his Mailbag.

 

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