MVP

So today, A-Rod (in the name of Christian ethics I will refrain from using any nicknames for the aforementioned person) won the MVP award for the American League. Well, let me be one of many dissenting voices to tell you that is just flat out stupid. I will now espouse several reasons as to why this is true...

1. This A-Rod MVP controversy has happened before. And do you know why? It's because he's NOT VALUABLE to any team. Before it was the less than good Texas Rangers (who ironically are much better now without A-Rod [see also Seattle Mariners]). Now, it's the overhyped, overpaid, much hated Evil Empire of the New York Yankees. What does A-Rod do for that team? Has he ever been the source of any big game hit or defensive stop? No. But I can think of some key errors (a few against my beloved Red Sox), and a couple no-shows at the plate (e.g., the 2005 playoffs). He's a great hitter, a good shortstop/third baseman, but he's not the most valuable player in the AL, EVER, in any season.

2. And this was alluded to in #1, A-Rod is not clutch. When the Yanks are winning 10-3, you can count on A-Rod hitting a Grand Slam against a third or fourth middle reliever. Well, great. When the game is on the line, you want Jeter. You want Sheff. You don't want A-Rod because A-Rod chokes and NEVER comes through in a big game situation. You know who doesn't choke?? Big Papi. Give me the big guy over ANYONE except maybe Pujols when the game is on the line. Big Papi is clutch, and he's proven it over and over again. Just ask the 2004 Yankees.

3. A-Rod is not a winner. Sure, he puts up numbers, and the Yanks have been competitive, but when A-Rod was THE stud in town, his teams sucked. First the Mariners, then the Rangers, he did not win. Sure, the Yanks win, but I give Torre and Jeter and Rivera credit for that. Not A-Rod. In fact, A-Rod was part of the BIGGEST choke ever in the history of professional sports last year. That's what A-Rod is good for, not winning when it counts. How many WS rings does A-Rod have? Zero. In an important side note, A-Rod also lost the fight with Jason Varitek two years ago.

So, there you go. Three good reasons as to why A-Rod is not the most valuable player in the AL this year. Is he the best player??? Maybe. If you pushed me on it, I think I could give you that. But the best is not always the most valuable to his team. Big Papi is without a doubt deserving of that role.

So there you are my friends. Tim Kukjian can take his stats and do something else with them besides support A-Rod for MVP. His stats mean nothing to me. Give me the guy who has the most game winning hits (Big Papi). For the record, America agrees with mehttp://sports.espn.go.com/espn/fp/flashPollResultsState?pollId=33522. There is no hanging Chad on this one. Big Papi for MVP.