<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TCOF @ Sep 19 2006, 05:38 PM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I saw a sign during the weekend series that is 100% correct and hopefully it stays true forever. I don't remember it word for word but it was something like this:Jeter = 4 ABs and great feildingOrtiz = 4 ABs and that's itA DH should never win the MVP unless he hits 70+ HRs and gets 170+ RBIs.</div>In 1992 Dennis Eckersley, a relief pitcher, won the AL MVP.In 1986 Roger Clemens, a starting pitcher, won the AL MVP.In 1984 Willie Hernandez, a relief pitcher, won the AL MVP.In 1981 Rollie Fingers, a relief pitcher, won the AL MVP.In fact, Pitchers have won MVP's as early as 1913.Now, my question for you is what is the difference?- A starting pitcher only pitches once every 5 days. - A relief pitcher only plays a few innings at most a day.- Neither of which really plays any defense.The Question isnt who is the on the field the most, the Question is who does the most when they are on the field, to completely discount somebody because they dont play defense is just wrong. It is one thing to hold it against them if everything is equal, but when they arent equal, the DH is plenty deserving of winning the MVP. Even without having 70 Home Runs and 170 RBI's
With all that said though, I do not consider David Ortiz the MVP right now because Boston completely has collapsed out of the playoff race this past month, even while Ortiz was on the field. An MVP doesnt allow his team to fall apart like that. My MVP right now, is Johan Santana right now.Johan Santana ranks 1st in the American League in
7 Pitching CategoriesHe is First in Wins, Strikeouts, WHIP, Batting Average Against, Innings Pitched, ERA, and Winning Percentage.The Minnesota Twins are
26-6 In Games in which he has started, and
24-3 In Games in which he has started since May 1st. There is no player in the American League that has been close to as dominant as Johan Santana is.