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Should a Pitcher be able to win MVP?
- Thread starter HPC
- Start date
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craftysouthpaw
New member
- Jan 8, 2010
- 668
- 0
This is the language voters receive with their ballots: "Keep in mind that all players are eligible for MVP, including pitchers and designated hitters."
So the answer is unquestionably yes. Now if the question is really should the rules be changed, that is something different entirely.
But Bautista has been so much better than the rest of the league, I think he should win in a landslide. But he won't because of the logic of so many of the voters that a guy can't be valuable by default if he doesn't play for a contender.
If Verlander gets to 25 wins though, I wouldn't be surprised to see him take it.
So the answer is unquestionably yes. Now if the question is really should the rules be changed, that is something different entirely.
But Bautista has been so much better than the rest of the league, I think he should win in a landslide. But he won't because of the logic of so many of the voters that a guy can't be valuable by default if he doesn't play for a contender.
If Verlander gets to 25 wins though, I wouldn't be surprised to see him take it.
nborton
Active member
Agreed. 25 wins by Verlander would be the most impressive number of the contending players. IF he got there I think he has a legit shot.
The funny thing is people think Verlander has a shot because the offensive numbers are down some. I think this is the new normal for baseball, and was for many years prior to roids. People have been too used to monster HRs and RBIs that aren't going to happen any longer (naturally anyway).
The funny thing is people think Verlander has a shot because the offensive numbers are down some. I think this is the new normal for baseball, and was for many years prior to roids. People have been too used to monster HRs and RBIs that aren't going to happen any longer (naturally anyway).
If Verlander's wins above replacement is only 6, something's not right. Apparently the great statistical machine behind the curtain knows where to find some pretty dang decent starters. If this is accurate, I think that 27.4 MLB GMs need to be replaced. Which leads to a question....is there a WAR for GMs?
Huffamaniac
Active member
- Oct 8, 2008
- 4,477
- 0
Yes they should and Verlander should win it this year
leatherman
Active member
I still haven't gotten over Willie Hernandez winning the 1984 MVP. What's even crazier is that Dan Quisenberry finished 3rd that year!!! Willie converted 32 of 33 saves with a 1.92 ERA for the World Champion Tigers, while Quiz had 44 saves and a 2.64 ERA. Sandwiched between them in 2nd place was Kent Hrbek's 27 HR, 107 RBI season while batting .311. Eddie Murray and AL Batting Champion Don Mattingly finished up the AL top 5.
- Thread starter
- #28
HPC
New member
MallCopKJ said:
Verlander 2011
2.38 era, 20-5, 218k 0.90 whip
Pedro 2000
18-6, 0.74 whip, 1.74 era, 284k
Verlander has already won more games, their whip is nearly the same, and Verlander has only given up half more runs than Pedro did. Strikeouts are obviously less but there are still games to play.
Huffamaniac
Active member
- Oct 8, 2008
- 4,477
- 0
So because Pedro got screwed out of the award, no other pitcher should ever get it? Yeah that makes a real lot of sense
MallCopKJ said:
JoshHamilton
Well-known member
- Aug 7, 2008
- 12,205
- 320
Are pitchers eligible to win the MVP under baseball's rules?
Oh, they are you say?
There's your answer
Oh, they are you say?
There's your answer
Huffamaniac said:
I just dont think that he will. I remember a voter saying he would not vote for a pitcher and left him off his ballot completely that year. If thats the mentality some voters apparently have, no pitcher will win. Theres always someone that wants to make a name for himself.
leatherman
Active member
The last NL pitcher to with the MVP? Bob Gibson in 1968. Yeah, you throw a 1.12 ERA for a full season and you got a case for MVP.
The AL had 4 pitchers as MVPs in a span of just 12 seasons:
Rollie Fingers in 1981
Willie Hernandez in 1984
Roger Clemens in 1986
Dennis Eckersley in 1992
In case you didn't notice, three of those were relief pitchers. So, it's been 25 years since a starting pitcher won the MVP. Two jackholes left Pedro off the 1999 MVP ballot, or he would have won it as well.
The AL had 4 pitchers as MVPs in a span of just 12 seasons:
Rollie Fingers in 1981
Willie Hernandez in 1984
Roger Clemens in 1986
Dennis Eckersley in 1992
In case you didn't notice, three of those were relief pitchers. So, it's been 25 years since a starting pitcher won the MVP. Two jackholes left Pedro off the 1999 MVP ballot, or he would have won it as well.
nborton
Active member
leatherman said:
Even though pitchers only play every 5th day, they have just as much impact in the overall season. Position players out side of catcher and 1B don't have much physical impact other than a few outs per game plus the at bats. I bet most SPers have just as much impact over the course of a season as most hitters on an out by out basis.
JzWand
New member
I think pitchers should be able to get the MVP award.
If Verlander can get to 24-25 wins and keep the ERA around around where it is, as a Jays fan, I have it the following:
1. Verlander (the bastich no hit the Jays too)
2. Bautista
3. Gonzalez
4. Granderson
Now any of those position players can go on a streak and Verlander could struggle a bit the last month so things can still change.
If Verlander can get to 24-25 wins and keep the ERA around around where it is, as a Jays fan, I have it the following:
1. Verlander (the bastich no hit the Jays too)
2. Bautista
3. Gonzalez
4. Granderson
Now any of those position players can go on a streak and Verlander could struggle a bit the last month so things can still change.
- Thread starter
- #37
HPC
New member
My beef is how people associate the MVP award with being the best player in the league.
It's really not.
It's the Most Valuable Player to his repsective team.
In my eyes, that person is easily Justin Verlander.
Without him, Detroit would be nowhere close to where they currently sit
It's really not.
It's the Most Valuable Player to his repsective team.
In my eyes, that person is easily Justin Verlander.
Without him, Detroit would be nowhere close to where they currently sit
jgro85
Active member
All The Hype
Active member
leatherman said:
Not that this has anything to do with pitchers winning MVP, but what's more amazing than Pedro not winning MVP in '99 was McGwire and Sosa coming in 5th and 9th place in the NL, with 65 and 63 homeruns, respectively.
