American League MVP: Top 10 Candidates
Few years have seen a race that is this wide open. The 2008 American League MVP race has no fewer than ten solid candidates, and nobody has the slightest clue who the "real favorite" is going to be.
This year is distinguished by three interesting developments:
First, numbers are down across the board. Way down. No player in the American League was able to hit 40 HR — a shocking development to say the least.
Second, the National League was far better this year, and several players from it would have easily won the award if they were competing in the American League pool.
Finally, most of the top candidates find themselves sharing the spotlight with a teammate. In fact, of the ten players most likely to win, six of them are joined by someone else from their squad. This will make things difficult for some of the most statistically impressive hitters.
With that in mind, here are the ten best candidates to pick from. They are listed in reverse order of who is most deserving.
About the Author Bryan Goldberg (senior writer)
- 33 articles written
- 389 comments posted
- 53 fans
FREE SPORTS TEXT ALERTS
- Get team scores and news sent to your cell phone during and after each game.
- We do not charge for these services, but standard messaging rates or other charges apply.
- Cancel anytime by replying STOP to any message.
Step 2: Enter your phone number
Want to write for Bleacher Report
We are a community of fans who write about sports. And we're growing.
comments (25) write a comment »
write a new comment
about 1 month ago
This is the worst list I've ever seen. Try harder.
about 1 month ago
Arod, Hamilton, Youk in any order. The others a wanna-bes.
from about 1 month ago
Arod had a down year by his standards. Would be a shame if he own it this year. Hamilton was fantastic, and he will win an MVP in the next few years. Youk was great too, and I think that either him or Pedroia will probably win when they announce this thing on Tuesday.
from about 1 month ago
How is Pedroia not in there? Jesus christ.
about 1 month ago
Carlos Quentin, until he got hurt, was everything the White Sox had. He should get top-3 consideration. But based on numbers AND the Disney-quality story, I go Hamilton on this one. The guy has been thru so much, and to bounce back with the year he had... the show he put on at the All Star Game, in Yankee Stadium, will outlast the performances of Sosa, McGwire and all others in the last 20 years. This kid is as feel good as it gets.
ARod can take his own trophy, Madonna, back to Miami for the winter anyway.
from about 1 month ago
Nothing here I disagree with. Quentin would have been MVP, and he still deserves some votes, but he just missed too many games. If you look at my list, Hamilton was the best player who was not on a winning team, and if I put less weighting on that factor, he might be the winner.
I truly hope that Cliff Lee wins it. I believe that when a pitcher has a truly sensational year that he should be considered. This year was also one of the least impressive ever from a hitting standpoint, so this a year for a pitcher to get it.
about 1 month ago
I watch about 162 Sox games a year (180 on a good year). Youk dwarfs Pedroia. No one should EVER win an MVP with 17 HR and 83 RBI. That is only 4 and 25 more than Varitek. He's a fan fave cuz he's small. So was that dude that Bill Veek put up there.
about 1 month ago
Isaac...Neither Pedroia or Jesus Christ should win the MVP. Jesus may but not Pedroia.
about 1 month ago
If the Indians made the playoffs I would agree that Lee should win, but since they didn't I'd have to go with Youkilis or Morneau(even thought the Twins fell one game short of October).
from about 1 month ago
Youkilis will probably win it. But I think that Mauer should get it over Morneau. I believe that catcher is the most important fielding position (along with SS), and to be the best at it is tremendous value... so to be the best catcher AND win the batting crown? That's just awesome.
from about 1 month ago
That is a good point, it would be nice to see Mauer win it. Nice job by the way with the slideshow, that was pretty cool
about 1 month ago
Quentin hands down!! Hamilton in a close second. Quentin meant the most to his team, when he went down the sox offense went south.
from about 1 month ago
Your point is well taken, but I can't in good faith pick a guy who missed more than thirty games to be the MVP. But maybe the voters will!
about 1 month ago
Morneau or MaUER ARE DFFINITLY THE CO MVPS.
about 1 month ago
where is Grady Sizemore? He is my choice to win and he is not in the top ten. odd how that happened
from about 1 month ago
Ben, I know you might disagree, but I can't put someone in there who batted in the .260's... call me old fashion.
If you liked him, then what isn't there to like about Mauer? Like Sizemore he's a great fielder, but he also was a way better hitter, and lead a better team.
about 1 month ago
Good job here, cant say that I agree with the order but thats what its all about right? I certainly would have Sizemore here and don't think pitchers win unless their team does, fair or not.
One of the toughest years to decide in a long time....Youk,Mauer,Pedroia
about 1 month ago
Wow, Lee for MVP? That would be rare. But he had a fabulous season. I wouldn't give it to him personally... but I wouldn't argue too hard if he got it.
about 1 month ago
Thoughtful list and enjoyable read. Thanks.
That photo of Mauer is wicked. Love the bend in the bat.
about 1 month ago
Pedroia is a lock to win the award. Lee will not get one first, second, or third place vote. Why is he even there?
about 1 month ago
Bryan,
Interesting list. I agree both leagues' awards are wide-open.
My only serious beef would be with Lee winning the Most Valuable Player. You say you can't vote for Quentin b/c he missed 30 games but then you hand the award to a guy who appeared in 31 games TOTAL.
Quentin still appeared in 130 games, got 480 ABs, and was a force while he was there. Lee was awesome, but only appeared in less than 1/3 of his team's games.
To me, that is why a pitcher should NEVER win the MVP for 162 game season unless there are really no other good candidates. That's not the case this year.
And to the dude above, maybe you should switch your name to Horse's Buttocks b/c nobody is a lock and that means anyone can be on the list.
Good read.
Andrew
from about 1 month ago
Really good point about pitchers. While their work is invaluable, it's much more difficult to play EVERY SINGLE day and be effective.
about 1 month ago
I may be an Orioles homer, but Aubrey Huff belongs on the list. He won't win. He may not even get votes (though, I'd bet a third place or so). But his numbers were astounding - far better than Milton Bradley at the least. And let's not give the 'contender' line, because Texas and the Tigers were never too close.
That said, I think Pedroia will win. Hands down. I doubt Youk will get many votes. Lee might still a few.
from about 1 month ago
He was close. Milton Bradley lead the league in OBP, which some statisticians consider to be the single most important category, so that's why I gave him the nod. It's also nice to see a career journeyman really step it up. Honestly, I think that it will be one of the two Red Sox or Twins players who wins it. It probably be Morneau. I will be pleased if it's Hamilton, but I doubt he will get it.
about 1 month ago
A-Rod should be higher than number 7 on this list
write a new comment