Spring Break
October baseball is in the air
Matt Share
Issue date: 10/9/08 Section: Sports
162 games, every one of which was needed to separate those worthy of contending for a World Series from those who are not. The season-long grind is over for all but eight elite Major League Baseball teams who will go on to play October baseball and compete for a championship.
The 2008 campaign did not disappoint, and as usual there is no shortage of storylines. The Tampa Bay Rays captured their first ever division title, fighting off the juggernaut Yankees and Red Sox. The season-long shocker was truly one of the great underdog stories in baseball history.
As the trade deadline loomed, GMs from many teams did not hesitate to pull the trigger on deals. The acquisition of C.C. Sabathia proved to be key in the Brewers' push for the postseason. Manny Ramirez injected life into a Dodgers lineup that could hardly manage a run for most of the season. Both Ramirez and Sabathia were unbelievable for their new teams.
Conversely, the White Sox gambled and traded for future Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., whose sweet swing suddenly vanished in the South Side. He managed only a handful of homeruns for his new club.
Also of note was Francisco Rodriguez, "K-Rod", shattering Bobby Thigpin's record of 57 saves in a season.
As the final regular season pitch was thrown on Sept. 29, the baseball pundits were well into their MLB season awards arguments.
NL MVP has to be Ryan Howard. His power numbers are just too far superior to even consider giving it to anyone else. Albert Pujols did have an incredible season, but his team failed to contend.
The NL Cy Young should probably be awarded to Brandon Webb. His 22 wins and 174 K's, coupled with a low-3 ERA are just too hard to pass up on. Johan Santana should be considered, especially after his effort on short rest to give meaning to the final game of the season, but I do not feel he deserves it.
AL MVP is more up in the air than any other award. I feel that Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia is most deserving. While his numbers are not as stellar as others, like Josh Hamilton or Carlos Quinten, he came through in a big way in September, both offensively and defensively. Without Pedroia, I do not see the Sox making the playoffs, ultimately what MVP is about.
AL Cy Young undoubtedly must be Cliff Lee. He leads, or is in the top three in six of the seven major categories. His jaw-dropping 2.54 ERA and 22 wins are just too unreal to even consider another candidate.
Most importantly, however, is the fact that the best is yet to come. October baseball is among the most exciting times in sports. With any luck, the postseason will be as exciting as the rest of the season has been.
The 2008 campaign did not disappoint, and as usual there is no shortage of storylines. The Tampa Bay Rays captured their first ever division title, fighting off the juggernaut Yankees and Red Sox. The season-long shocker was truly one of the great underdog stories in baseball history.
As the trade deadline loomed, GMs from many teams did not hesitate to pull the trigger on deals. The acquisition of C.C. Sabathia proved to be key in the Brewers' push for the postseason. Manny Ramirez injected life into a Dodgers lineup that could hardly manage a run for most of the season. Both Ramirez and Sabathia were unbelievable for their new teams.
Conversely, the White Sox gambled and traded for future Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., whose sweet swing suddenly vanished in the South Side. He managed only a handful of homeruns for his new club.
Also of note was Francisco Rodriguez, "K-Rod", shattering Bobby Thigpin's record of 57 saves in a season.
As the final regular season pitch was thrown on Sept. 29, the baseball pundits were well into their MLB season awards arguments.
NL MVP has to be Ryan Howard. His power numbers are just too far superior to even consider giving it to anyone else. Albert Pujols did have an incredible season, but his team failed to contend.
The NL Cy Young should probably be awarded to Brandon Webb. His 22 wins and 174 K's, coupled with a low-3 ERA are just too hard to pass up on. Johan Santana should be considered, especially after his effort on short rest to give meaning to the final game of the season, but I do not feel he deserves it.
AL MVP is more up in the air than any other award. I feel that Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia is most deserving. While his numbers are not as stellar as others, like Josh Hamilton or Carlos Quinten, he came through in a big way in September, both offensively and defensively. Without Pedroia, I do not see the Sox making the playoffs, ultimately what MVP is about.
AL Cy Young undoubtedly must be Cliff Lee. He leads, or is in the top three in six of the seven major categories. His jaw-dropping 2.54 ERA and 22 wins are just too unreal to even consider another candidate.
Most importantly, however, is the fact that the best is yet to come. October baseball is among the most exciting times in sports. With any luck, the postseason will be as exciting as the rest of the season has been.
Be the first to comment on this story