Nick's Baseball Awards

As the MLB season winds down, I will give my vote for the awards in each league.

National League
MVP – Matt Holiday Rockies – Really this is a race between Utley in Philadelphia, Fielder in Milwaukee and Holiday. I give it to Holiday on the strength of his overall numbers. With an average well above .300, over 30 homers, and over 100 RBI’s it is hard to argue against him. I know the Colorado factor is still there but ever since the humidor it is not the hitter’s paradise it once was.

NL Cy Young – Jake Peavy, Padres – Really his and his alone. Eighteen wins and leads the league in ERA. Peavy has been one of the best in baseball for a couple of years now, and this season he put it all together. Webb in Arizona and Saito the great closer for Dodgers get an honorable mention.

NL Rookie of the year – Ryan Braun, Brewers - Man does the NL have some great rookies this year. This has boiled down to a three man race. Ryan Braun of Milwaukee, Hunter Pence of Houston and Chris Young of Arizona. In a close call I have to give it to Braun. Over 30 homers and a batting average at .324 it is hard to argue. Pence has been sensational for Houston and Young has been a key cog for the D’Backs but Braun has been out of his mind this year.

NL Manager of the Year -Bob Melvin, Diamond Backs – As much I love the job that Lou Pinella has done I have to say Bob Melvin in Arizona has gotten more out of his team then anyone else.

American League
AL MVP – Alex Rodriguez, Yankees – It is too bad for Magglio Ordonez in Detroit because any other year he is the MVP. Rodriguez’s numbers are mind boggling. 52 homers, and 141 driven in with two weeks to go, numbers that speak for themselves. Truly an amazing season for A-Rod.

AL Cy Young – Josh Beckett, Red Sox – Man this is a tough one. There are a number of worthy candidates. Carmona and Sabathia in Cleveland and Escobar in LA are also having fine seasons. But, Beckett with his 19 wins and low 3 ERA get my vote. He has been the glue for that staff all year.

AL Rookie of the year, Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox – In what is a somewhat weak field Pedroia is the best of the lot. Josh Fields of the White Sox has quietly put up good numbers but his late call up hurts him. Pedroia is hitting over .300 and has been a catalyst for the Red Sox all year.

AL Manager of the Year – Eric Wedge, Indians – In a year where no AL Manager has really done an outstanding job, Wedge has been better then anyone else in the AL, so the award goes to him.