The Amazing Race

Rollins might seem lacking in MVP timber too, given that he is a leadoff hitter with an on-base percentage (.344) that is only 10 points higher than the league average, and he led the league in outs (526). But what separates Rollins from the rest of the field is that he plays a premium position (the other top candidates are either corner infielders or corner outfielders) with Gold Glove--caliber skills, he hit for power (30 homers), and he racked up more total bases than every other player except Holliday. Who ever heard of an NL shortstop with 380 total bases? (Nobody. Rollins is the first.) Scoring 139 runs and stealing 40 bases (12 in September without being caught), he produced a body of work that was staggering.

Rollins played leading man for the Phillies right to the end. On Sunday, just minutes after closer Brett Myers locked down the last out of a 16--6 run to the wire, the shortstop grabbed a microphone behind home plate to thank Philadelphia fans for their support—and to make one more brash pronouncement.

"The World Series!" he shouted. "Let's do it!"