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The best way to spell MVP is with a little 'd': "Big Papi" is immensely valuable—but remember, all he does is swing a bat

Sporting News, The, Sept 30, 2005 by Ken Rosenthal

I'm not philosophically opposed to a designated hitter winning the American League Most Valuable Player award. I just don't think the circumstances fit the Red Sox's David Ortiz right now.

Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, an impact player both offensively and defensively, is just the type of candidate who would make it difficult to justify a vote for a DH such as Ortiz.

This baby is far from over--the outcome of the stretch drive likely will determine the MVP. If the Red Sox make the postseason and the Yankees don't, Ortiz could be a lock. If the situation is reversed, Rodriguez probably will prevail.

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The definition of MVP is largely subjective, and voters are not specifically instructed to consider team performance. Still, I prefer MVPs who help their clubs reach the postseason. The real debate over Ortiz and Rodriguez will occur if the Red Sox and Yankees both make the playoffs. And a heated, legitimate debate it will be.

One A.L.G.M. says flatly, "There is no player who means more to his team than Ortiz means to the Red Sox." I can't argue with that. But Rodriguez's offensive numbers are comparable to Ortiz's. He also runs better, steals bases occasionally and is one of the top defensive third basemen in the league.

It would be different if Rodriguez were the defensive equivalent of Manny Ramirez, the Red Sox's devil-may-care left fielder. It also would be different if defense were clearly a secondary part of Rodriguez's game, the way it was for last year's N.L. MVP, Barry Bonds, and several previous winners in both leagues. By some statistical measures, Rodriguez isn't having a good season at third--he's second-worst among A.L. regulars in range factor, which is putouts and assists divided by innings, and zone rating, which is the percentage of balls fielded in a player's typical defensive zone, according to STATS Inc.

Rodriguez's range factor, however, might he diminished by the Yankees' pitching staff, which is fifth in the A.L. in ground-ball percentage but sixth in strikeout rate, reducing the number of balls in play. What's more, Rodriguez has rallied defensively after an uncharacteristically poor start--he has made 11 errors but only one since June 23.

However you look at it, Rodriguez is far more valuable to his team in the field than Ortiz, who has made only 10 starts at first base.

Although Ortiz undoubtedly is a better clutch hitter--he has a league-leading nine home runs to Rodriguez's four in "close and late" situations--consider the closeness of their overall numbers at the start of the week:

The discrepancy in RBIs is largely attributable to Ortiz's superior performance with runners in scoring position. Rodriguez led the A.L. with 210 plate appearances in those situations, but his on-base plus slugging percentage with RISP ranked 25th, and he was just third on his own team behind Gary Sheffield and Jason Giambi. Ortiz, with 21 fewer plate appearances, had the league's sixth-best OPS in those situations. Ramirez was first.

Put it all together and it's impossible to make a case for Rodriguez as a more valuable offensive player. But factor in defense and baserunning, and the argument turns in Rodriguez's favor.

I know the voting members of the Baseball Writers Association of America don't always vote consistently, a source of frustration for many fans. But just as each season is different, each vote is different--and each race must be considered on its merits.

I'd be reluctant to snub a complete player in favor of a DH--even a DH as valuable as David Ortiz.

speed reads

Ozzie Guillen's bluntness is part of his charm, but his White Sox players couldn't have been pleased to hear their manager say, "We flat-out stink," during the team's recent slide. Comments such as that cause a manager to lose support among his players. You never hear Bobby Cox or Tony La Russa criticize their teams so vehemently.

Even with the Dodgers' disappointing season, second baseman Jeff Kent deserves to finish among the top 10 in the National League MVP balloting. Kent began the week leading the league with a .381 batting average with runners in scoring position, and his defense has been better than the Dodgers expected.

Here's yet another reason why the Padres don't resemble a division champion: Manager Bruce Bochy, seeking the right offensive combination, used a different lineup in each of the club's first 15 games in September. Entering the week, Bochy had tried nine No. 3 hitters and 13 No. 5 hitters this season-including five of each this month.

A fond farewell to Mariners catcher Dan Wilson, who will retire with the everlasting respect of his teammates. All players should be as professional as Wilson.

In the N.L., Pujols has greater value than Jones and Lee

Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee is the player of the year in the National League.

Braves center fielder Andruw Jones is the likely home run and RBI champ.

Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols is the MVP.

The Cubs' poor performance cost Lee his shot, boiling the race down to Pujols and Jones, both of whom have been mainstays for first-place teams depleted by injuries.

The best way to spell MVP is with a little 'd': "Big Papi" is immensely valuable—but remember, all he does is swing a bat

Sporting News, The, Sept 30, 2005 by Ken Rosenthal

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