Odd Thoughts

The 2005 Baseball Awards

Normally by this time of year, it's easy to give out season ending awards even though the season hasn't ended, but this year, some of the awards are tough to call, particularly the AL Cy Young and MVP, and the NL Rookie of the Year. So this time around, I'll spread it out.

I plan to give out seven primary awards: The Barry Bonds Award (see explanation here), the Cy Young Award, Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, Surprise Player of the Year, and the Hank Aaron Award (for the best offensive season, considering only numbers and not the intagibles usually considered for MVP). I'll give each of the above awards for AL and NL players. I might also through in an isolated oddball award here and there too.

So, I guess I'll get started with the Managers. The MOY, in my opinion, is the manager of the biggest surprise team of the year, or the guy who won when he was supposed to loose.

AL Manager of the Year

Eric Wedge, CLE: Six weeks ago I had no doubt that the the AL MOY would go to Ozzie Guillen. But the White Sox faded after their blistering first half, and the Indians have come on strong. I believe the Indians will make the playoffs one way or another, but even if they don't, I think it is clear that Wedge has led the biggest surprise contending team in the AL this year. Honorable mention to Ozzie Guillen (CHA) and Ken Macha (OAK).

NL Manager of the Year

Bobby Cox, ATL: I think the Braves, in an odd sort of way, were the biggest surprise team in the NL this year. This was the year that most of the experts said the Braves would loose, and quite honestly, they should have. He had a lot of rookies this year, injuries to half the starting pitchers and Chipper Jones, and he he is, with a five game lead in the last week of the season. Honorable mention to Charlie Manuel (PHI).

The Surprise Player of the Year Awards are for players that went above and beyond their expected capabilities. This doesn't necessarily mean that the player was bad and became good (though that would qualify). It is for the player that most exceeded expectations.

AL Surprise Player of the Year

Brian Roberts, BAL: Roberts' season ended early but started off with a bang in 2005 and finished with a .041 batting average improvement (.273 to .314) and also set career highs in hits, triples, home runs, RBI's, OBP, and SLG. He also improved his strike out to walk ratio. He has achieved these career highs in 80 fewer at bats than last year. Honorable mention to Jorge Cantu (TBD) and Jhonny Peralta (CLE).

NL Surprise Player of the Year

Morgan Ensberg, HOU: Nobody knew how the Astros would find any offense to replace Carlos Beltran and Jeff Kent, and while no one player can do that entirely, Ensberg has done a great job and become a true threat in the middle of the Astros lineup. He has career highs in just above every offensive category, including 36 home runs, which is currently 6th in the NL. Honorable mention to Chad Cordero (WAS) and Felipe Lopez (CIN).

Posted by chefchuddy at September 27, 2005 09:30 AM | TrackBack