Just a reminder, if you are interested, I will be doing the color of the Yankee-Blue Jay game on WCBS-AM (880) tonight. Now onto Week 23 of Awards Wednesday:
AL MVP
1. Alex Rodriguez, Yankees. 2. Magglio Ordonez, Tigers. 3. Jorge Posada, Yankees. It is possible that if A-Rod were not around, Posada just might win the MVP. (Previous leader: A-Rod).
AL ANTI-MVP
1. Richie Sexson, Mariners. 2. Jose Lopez, Mariners. 3. Nick Punto, Twins. Are you looking for reasons to Seattle???s fade? Well, it can???t help that Sexson and Lopez ??? the projected right side of the infield ??? have on-base percentages of .295 and .290, respectively. (Previous leader: Josh Barfield, Indians).
NL MVP
1. David Wright, Mets. 2. Prince Fielder, Brewers. 3. Albert Pujols, Cardinals. Fielder has five September homers and Milwaukee is 4-1 in those games. (Previous leader: Wright).
NL ANTI-MVP
1. Andruw Jones, Braves. 2. Stephen Drew, Diamondbacks. 3. Ray Durham, Giants. The free agency for Jones is going to be fascinating: A long-time star, having by far his worst season, but represented by Scott Boras. Is this a fade or a fluke? (Previous leader: Ray Durham, Giants).
AL CY YOUNG
1. C.C. Sabathia, Indians. 2. Josh Beckett, Red Sox. 3. Kelvim Escobar, Angels. Could Sabathia???s terrific teammate, Fausto Carmona, draw enough votes to hurt Sabathia? (Previous leader: Sabathia).
AL ANTI-CY YOUNG
1. Horacio Ramirez, Mariners. 2. Jeff Weaver, Mariners. 3. Ervin Santana, Angels. With some of the horrible performances they received this year, it is hard to believe the Mariners were contenders for as long as they were. (Previous leader: Mike Mussina, Yankees).
NL CY YOUNG
1. Jake Peavy, Padres. 2. Brad Penny, Dodgers. 3. Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks. Peavy is making a strong kick with an 8-1 record since late July. (Previous leader: Peavy).
NL ANTI-CY YOUNG
1. Kip Wells, Cardinals. 2. Adam Eaton, Phillies. 3. Dontrelle Willis, Marlins. At 8-15 with a 5.27 ERA, Willis has gone a long way to making himself a very, very difficult trade this offseason. (Previous leader: Kip Wells, Cardinals).
AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
1. Brian Bannister, Royals. 2. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox. 3. Hideki Okajima, Red Sox. Daisuke Matsuzaka has fallen out of consideration for now by going 1-4 with a 9.57 ERA in his last five starts. (Previous leader: Brian Bannister, Royals).
NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
1. Ryan Braun, Brewers. 2. Hunter Pence, Astros. 3. Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies. Beware the late charge of Braun???s Milwaukee teammate Yovani Gallardo. (Previous leader: Braun)
SPECIAL AWARD OF THE WEEK
FIVE BEST SEASONS FOR STARTING PITCHERS 35 OR OVER
1. John Smoltz, Braves. 2. Andy Pettitte, Yankees. 3. Greg Maddux, Padres. 4. Tom Glavine, Braves. 5. Tim Wakefield, Red Sox. In his last eight starts, Maddux was 5-1 with a 2.32 ERA and none ??? that is right ZERO ??? walks in 50 1-3 innings.
FIVE BEST TEAMS
1. Red Sox. 2. Angels. 3. Yankees. 4. Indians. 5. Mets. The AL playoffs should really be something.
(Previous leader: Red Sox).
FIVE WORST TEAMS
1. White Sox. 2. Devil Rays. 3. Marlins. 4. Nationals. 5. Astros. Joe Torre???s job is in trouble, but White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was just given a contract extension. (Previous leader: Devil Rays).