We have arrived at that time of the year when we dish out our awards for the Major League baseball season. There have been lots of surprises and then again some things that we expected. It sucks that we lost another season of baseball for Mike Trout. Here is hoping that he will finally get healthy. There were also many players that retired. Nelson Cruz, Stephen Strasburg, Elvis Andrus, Joey Votto, and Charlie Blackmon. The Hall welcomed Adrian Beltre, Todd Helton, and Joe Mauer. The best is yet to come as the playoffs are ready to go. There is not one real frontrunner but many teams that could take the crown. Which also means this will be the 24th straight year with a new World Series Champion.
American league rookie of the year. For me, I am going to the home team for this award. There are many candidates such as Mason Miller, Colton Cowser, and the Yankees duo of Gil and Wells. Watching every day what Wilyer Abreu did for the Red Sox was amazing. He played right field, which is the hardest in baseball, like a 10-year vet and his clutch hitting gave the Red Sox a fighting chance for the playoffs.
In the National League this case is closed. Paul Skenes is the winner. You might even want to pencil him in for next year’s Cy Young or MVP awards as well. Skenes every start is a must see and his stuff is electric. Please, please, please stay healthy.
National League Cy Young should be Chris Sale from Atlanta. Sale, who has struggled with injuries over the last few years, even some really silly injuries like falling off a bike, rebounds to have a real Chris Sale type year. He was the one stable arm in what was a very unstable pitching year for the Braves.
The American League is a bit more of a question. Tarik Skubal has the best numbers and his Tigers are making a last push, playoff move. It’s also hard not to recognize the indestructible force that is Emmanuel Clase. Clase is looking to become the first reliever since Dodgers closer Eric Gagne in 2003 to take home the top pitching prize in baseball.
I will not even debate the NL MVP. Let’s just say any doubt was erased on Thursday, September 19, the night of THE Game. We all need to sit back and enjoy how great this generational talent is. This award could be Shohei for years to come.
The AL race is tighter as both Judge and Bobby Witt Jr. have had great seasons and both have tailed off a bit toward the end of the season. Let’s roll back to 1979 and award a CO-MVP. If that won’t satisfy the masses then let’s go with Witt. Judge has been great, no debate, but Witt like Skenes is also a must see. There are so many things that he does on the field that make one shake their head. He also took a young Royals team and made them playoff contenders again.
Here’s to a fun and exciting playoff season, a hot, hot stove, and an injury free 2025 season.
Even more so, here’s to a fantastic 2024 postseason!
