We live in a day where nothing is ever good enough anymore. 
Spurs win four championships since 1999, still many question their viability as a dynasty. A-Rod goes for 30 and 86 in the first half, and the city of New York still doesn't care if he leaves at the end of the month. Kelly Slater wins 8 surfing trophies and is bounced in the first round of Who's Now. As of July 10,2007, you can now add: hitting a game winning home run in the All-Star game no longer means you are the MVP. It happened last night, Victor Martinez came up and knocked a pinch hit homer to left, giving the American League (what turned out to be) the winning run to keep the AL winning streak alive. Then, because Ichiro hit an in the park homer, he won the award, even though without Victor's home run, he isn't the MVP. Ichiro Suzuki is driving Victor Martinez's Chevy Tahoe hybrid, plain and simple. In case you think I'm out of my mind, let's take a look at the last few AS MVP award winners in games decided by two runs or less, and how they won their award.
2006, Michael Young. Hit the game winning two-run triple in top of the ninth, AL wins 3-2.
2003, Garrett Anderson. Hit a two run homer, Melvin Mora scored after pinch-running for Anderson, even though Hank Blalock hit game winning two run homer in bottom of the 8th. AL wins 7-6
1997, Sandy Alomar Jr. Hits game winning two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh. AL wins 3-1.
1995, Jeff Conine. Hits game winning solo home run in the top of the eighth. NL wins 3-2.
1994, Fred McGriff. Hits game tying two-run homer in bottom of the ninth to extend the game. NL wins in bottom of the 10th, 8-7.
1991, Cal Ripken Jr. Hits game winning three-run homer in bottom bottom of the third, makes the score 3-1. AL goes on to win 4-2.
1990, Julio Franco. Hits game winning two-run double in top of the seventh, AL wins 2-0.
1989, Bo Jackson. Homers, and hits into fielder's choice which scores a run, even though Harold Baines hit game winning single in bottom of the third.
1988, Terry Steinbach. Hits homer and game winning sac fly. AL wins 2-1.
1987, Rock Raines. Hits game winning triple in top of the thirteenth. NL wins, 2-0.
That's enough, you get the idea. In the two instances since 1987 in which the person responsible for winning the game was denied the MVP award (Blalock and Baines) lost out two more popular, better known players (Anderson and Jackson).
This is exactly what happened in the 2007 All-Star game. The global icon (Ichiro) beat out the person responsible for the win (Martinez). If you're Victor Martinez, you have to be wondering what you have to do to earn some respect. The Seward pointed out that his numbers were much better than I-Rod's, yet I-Rod got the start. Then, he loses out in the MVP award to a more popular player. Not fair. Ichiro did hit that inside-the-park home run and that was fun to watch, but if Griffey plays that ball correctly, it is a triple at best. Ichiro is nothing in last night's game without Griffey's misplay in right. Everyone is talking about the Pujols snub, when poor Victor was snubbed twice, both worse than what happened to Pujols. I'm so bitter about this situation, so bitter.
Spurs win four championships since 1999, still many question their viability as a dynasty. A-Rod goes for 30 and 86 in the first half, and the city of New York still doesn't care if he leaves at the end of the month. Kelly Slater wins 8 surfing trophies and is bounced in the first round of Who's Now. As of July 10,2007, you can now add: hitting a game winning home run in the All-Star game no longer means you are the MVP. It happened last night, Victor Martinez came up and knocked a pinch hit homer to left, giving the American League (what turned out to be) the winning run to keep the AL winning streak alive. Then, because Ichiro hit an in the park homer, he won the award, even though without Victor's home run, he isn't the MVP. Ichiro Suzuki is driving Victor Martinez's Chevy Tahoe hybrid, plain and simple. In case you think I'm out of my mind, let's take a look at the last few AS MVP award winners in games decided by two runs or less, and how they won their award.
2 comments:
I'm not drinking your kool-aid yet. Ichiro went 3-3 against the three best pitchers in the NL (Peavy, Penny, Sheets). And you're not giving Grif any credit, as that ball would have been nearly imposible for anyone to get. If Grif plays it right...what about if Brian Roberts throws Young out at first with 2 gone in the ninth. Ifs and Buts, James.
Once again, you have zero correlation to your points. I feel like I'm back in the WMSR studios.
Post a Comment