Just announced by the Baseball Writers Association of America: Jimmy Rollins is the NL MVP.Here's a look at the voting.
Rollins is the fifth Phillies player to win the NL MVP, following Chuck Klein (1932), Jim Konstanty (1950), Mike Schmidt (1980, 1981, 1986) and Ryan Howard (2006). It marks the first time teammates have won back-to-back MVP awards since San Francisco's Jeff Kent and Barry Bonds in 2000 and 2001. He's also the first NL shortstop to be named MVP since Barry Larkin in 1995 and only the second since Maury Wills in 1962.
But voters swayed toward Rollins, who had a historic season by becoming the first player with at least 200 hits, 20 doubles, 15 triples, 25 homers and 25 stolen bases. He started every game for the Phillies and played all but 17 innings at shortstop, winning both the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards.
And, of course, there was his famous prediction.
In January, Rollins said the Phillies would be the "team to beat" in the NL East, even though they hadn't won the division or made the playoffs since 1993. He backed up his words, batting .346 (28-for-81) with six homers, 15 RBIs and 15 runs in 18 games against the defending champion New York Mets and helping the Phillies overcome a 7-1/2-game deficit in the final 17 games.
"Jimmy Rollins labeled the Phillies the 'team to beat' in the NL East, then backed it up," said Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News, who had an MVP vote. "He particularly rose to the occasion in head-to-head matchups with the Mets. That's what an MVP does."
The 17-point differential between Rollins and Holliday made the 2007 election the 20th closest overall and ninth in the NL since the current format was adopted by the BBWAA in 1938. The only MVP tie was in the NL in 1979 when Keith Hernandez and Willie Stargell each received 216 points.
Other tighter NL elections: 1944 (Marty Marion over Bill Nicholson, 190-189), 1955 (Roy Campanella over Duke Snider, 226-221), 1962 (Wills over Willie Mays, 209-202), 1957 (Hank Aaron over Stan Musial, 239-230), 1966 (Roberto Clemente over Sandy Koufax, 218-208), 1952 (Hank Sauer over Robin Roberts, 226-211) and 1991 (Terry Pendleton over Barry Bonds, 274-259).
Much, much more on this throughout the day.
(Update, 5:05 p.m.): From the BBWAA, here's more on how the voting broke down. Turns out, Rollins got more support from west of the Mississippi than I thought he would.
First-place votes by division
NL East: Rollins- 7, Fielder- 2, Holliday- 1
NL Central: Rollins- 5, Holliday- 4, Fielder- 3
NL West: Holliday-6, Rollins- 4
(Update, 6:30 p.m.): Don't get too excited, but the Phils have acquired lefty-hitting outfielder Chris Snelling from Tampa Bay for cash considerations. Snelling missed most of last season with a bruised left knee and batted only .246 in 30 games for Washington and Oakland. "Chris has always had a great bat, but he has battled some injuries in the past," assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement. "We feel he will be healthy this coming year and adds a left-handed hitter and some depth to our outfield."
(Update, 8:30 p.m.): Some of you have asked if any team has had three different players win consecutive MVP awards. It has happened. The Yankees' Roger Maris (1961), Mickey Mantle (1962) and Elston Howard (1963) were the last to do it. The last NL threesome was the Cardinals' Mort Cooper (1942), Stan Musial (1943) and Marty Marion (1944).
5 comments:
congrats Jimmy - Ed Wade just traded you for a 45 year old middle reliever, two bench players and a 34 year old AA prospect.
You are the Man Jimmy!
So Jimmy came in first, Ryan Howard third, and Chase Utley eighth... When was the last time three players from the same team ranked in the top 10? Can't be very often can it?
Way to go Jimmy!
Imagine if Utley pulls if out next season... 1B, SS and 2B in back-to-back seasons on the same team... ever been done?
Hey!
The Phillies got Chris Snelling!
Woopdy doo.
Just wanted to re-post my hot stove comment from the last thread to see what you guys think about it:
Getting back to the hot stove, I would have to seriously consider throwing our money at Andruw Jones. We were prepared and almost got Lowell to take 4 years $50 million, add a couple million more per year and a couple more years and get Andruw Jones at a somewhat diminished value. He is younger than both Rowand and Hunter. If you go look at the blog Capitol Punishment it breaks down his numbers after getting a cortisone shot in his shoulder, his numbers improved. His shoulder will be fine by Spring Training. Signing Jones would make this offense ridiculous and improve our defense over what we had with Rowand and by proxy keeping Victorino in Right Field. Get it done Pat, if you were willing to give the bank to Soriano last year, why not give it to Jones who will be cheaper and is the better player, offensively and defensively.
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