[EmpireWF]

The true Boston MVP is Jason Varitek. I just heard the stat of Boston's record since Varitek went down due to injury, 6-14. That's with Ortiz playing. I can't see how anyone can vote for him as MVP when the team is obviously doing poorly since Varitek left.

State your case.

[MJHMarc]

You have a strong point there, EmpireWF, but you cannot forget that Boston just faced their rivals, the New York Yankees in a dramatic series. There is also a ton of pressure on the organization to succeed because their chances of making the Playoffs are becoming dimmer every day. But if David Ortiz keeps on hitting walk-off homeruns, he will be named the MVP whether you like it or not.

[Burlington Bears]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

The true Boston MVP is Jason Varitek. I just heard the stat of Boston's record since Varitek went down due to injury, 6-14. That's with Ortiz playing. I can't see how anyone can vote for him as MVP when the team is obviously doing poorly since Varitek left.

State your case.

I think that that is an interesting point but Jason Varitek is clearly not the Red sox MVP this year. He has just not produced very well. I think that Ortiz is clearly the MVP by virtue of the fact that he is the best power hitter in the league, clutch-hitting aside. I think that a guy that sould get more credit is Manny. He is having a phenominal season at the plate and there have been very few problems.

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by MJHMarc

But if David Ortiz keeps on hitting walk-off homeruns, he will be named the MVP whether you like it or not.

i like the Sox and Ortiz as much as anyone

but he will not be MVP imo

looks like he will have 2 strikes against him already for some voters

1. he is a DH.......imo just about no matter how many HR's he hits the DH factor is a deal breaker for many voters

2. if the Sox dont make the play-offs that is a deal breaker for many voters as well

[MJHMarc]

Will the Red Sox make the Playoffs this season to save Ortiz's big behind?

[EmpireWF]

Boston not making the playoffs and the two serious Twis candidates almost send the MVP to Derek Jeter's trophy case automatically. That is unless Mariano Rivera steals some votes lol.

[MJHMarc]

I don't think Mariano Rivera will steal any MVP Votes, but hopefully he should recieve a few Cy Young votes. Jonathan Papelbon is almost a definite Rollaid's Relief Award winner this year, even though I would rather see my boy in the Bronx get another one to add to his collection.

[legend]

I am the biggest Red Sox hater around, and a Yankee fan, but believe me-David Ortiz is the MVP of the American League. Varitek's value is great as a signal caller, but he is having a wretched season at the plate. Ortiz has such ridiculous numbers that he cannot be ignored by MVP voters. I have never seen a guy come through time and again as consistently as Ortiz has. He is going to wind up with over 50 homers and around 140 runs batted in.
While Jeter is having a good year, so is Damon, Giambi, and Rivera on the Yankees. Detroit and Oakland have no outstanding offensive stars, while the Twins and White Sox have a couple guys each that will draw some support. But DH or no DH, there is nobody more deserving than Ortiz. At this point in his career, I find it hard to believe when he doesn't get a big hit. Take him off that team and they are barely a .500 club.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

The true Boston MVP is Jason Varitek. I just heard the stat of Boston's record since Varitek went down due to injury, 6-14. That's with Ortiz playing. I can't see how anyone can vote for him as MVP when the team is obviously doing poorly since Varitek left.

State your case.

Catchers runnnig pitching staffs do not win MVps unless they are fabled hitters as well (Berra, Bench Campanella)...and Ortiz is a Highlight darling...so who is going to pay attention to the stat come voting time?...besides an MVP winner does not have to play on a winning team...it helps a lot (think Kirk Gibson Dodgers with all of 75 or so RBIs)...but its not neccessary.

[legend]

Ernie Banks and A-Rod won MVP Award with last place teams. Varitek is hitting .243 with 11 homers and 50 RBI. He had better be calling a no-hitter every third game with offensive numbers like those.
One of the most amazing stats I have heard is that Giambi has his 100 plus RBI on less than 100 hits! 36 of his 98 hits are homers, and 19 are doubles.

[MJHMarc]

Thanks for those surprising statistics, legend!

So does this mean that Jason Giambi is now in the Awards picture?

[MLBNY]

Jason Giambi already won the comeback player of the year award last year so there isn't an award out there for him to take. With Giambi filling in as DH so much there is no way he would pass Ortiz or any other player on the MVP list for that matter. He is putting up great power numbers and on-base percentages but the guy still is hitting only .262 entering Wednesday. The hit to RBI ratio also indicates he is primarily swinging for the long ball making him an all-or-nothing type of hitter, much like Adam Dunn of the Cincinatti Reds (.248 BA, 38 HR). The only difference between the two is Dunn strikes out much more and Giambi has a higher on-base percentage. So my answer is no, Giambi is not in the running for any awards this year.

[mouse]

Everyone so far has made some good points. I'd just like to add some more.
First, MVP, which stands for Most Valuable Player is incorrectly named. It doesn't really go to the guy on the team that is the most valuable.

As we see with the Varitek argument, a player is sometimes more valuable to a team without necessarily putting up the numbers.

Ortiz is putting up the numbers but he may not be the most valuable to his team. You could even argue that Schilling or Papelbon is more valuable to the Red Sox. Where would they be without them?

Therefore, a better name for this award should be something like Best Performing Player, BPP.
This way, there'd be no argument against someone who puts up great numbers vs. someone that may be more critical to his team.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by legend

I am the biggest Red Sox hater around, and a Yankee fan, but believe me-David Ortiz is the MVP of the American League.

I agree with Legend on this.

[legend]

Is anybody following the story of Manny being upset during the Yankee sweep that a ball he hit was ruled an error and not a hit? He supposedly had to be talked into playing the next day. Last night, after Boston beat the Angels, Ortiz comes out and blasts the Boston official scorer, saying he is the worst in baseball and that he doesn't take care of the home team. Unbelieveable to say the least.