Miggy Wins AL MVP in a Landslide

[a700hitter]

Cabrera wins AL MVP in landslide

 

November 15, 2012

 

The time for debate is officially over. Miguel Cabrera is the American League MVP and it wasn't close.

 

Cabrera, 29, received 22 of the 28 first-place votes and 362 total points. The other six first-place votes went to Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels, who had 281 points. Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre finished third with 210 points.

 

On a conference call with reporters, Cabrera talked about winning the MVP.

 

"It means a lot," Cabrera said. "I thought it was going to be very close because Trout do a very good job this season, unbelievable. Thank God they vote for me to give me this award."

 

Cabrera succeeds teammate Justin Verlander, who won the AL MVP Award last season. Cabrera also becomes the first Tigers position player to win the MVP Award since Hank Greenberg in 1940.

 

Verlander was one of Cabrera's biggest supporters in the MVP race, going so far as to wear a T-shirt saying, "Keep the MVP in the D" with Cabrera's name on it.

 

"I'm excited because he support me a lot and this year we support each other," Cabrera said. "Hopefully we can help our team to win the division and get to the playoffs again."

 

Through his Twitter account, @JustinVerlander, Verlander said, "Best player in baseball … THE MVP @MiguelCabrera. #calleditinapril."

 

Verlander and Prince Fielder were eighth and ninth, respectively, in MVP voting.

 

Fielder also offered a congratulations from his Twitter account, @RealPFielder28: "Congratulations to Miguel on a historic season. Well deserved. Ready to get back after it with ya and bring WS championship to Detroit next season. Boom!"

 

It is the third time in Tigers history that that have had players win the MVP Award in back-to-back seasons. Pitcher Hal Newhouser won in 1944 and '45, and Hank Greenberg won the first of his two MVP awards in 1935, the year after catcher Mickey Cochrane took home the hardware.

 

Cabrera was the first player in 45 years to achieve the Triple Crown, leading the AL in batting average at .330, home runs with 44 and RBI with 139. The Boston Red Sox's Carl Yastrzemski won the Triple Crown in 1967.

 

Hall of Famer Al Kaline had some of the highest praise for Cabrera this summer.

 

"He's the best hitter that's ever played in Detroit since I've been here, there's no question about that," Kaline said. "We might have had somebody with more home run power but overall, he's by far the best hitter that I've ever seen here. That's including myself, and I don't even want to put myself in the same category with him. He's the best."

 

Cabrera is also the first Venezuelan to win an MVP Award.

 

"Venezuela is going crazy right now," Cabrera said. "I got 100 calls, text messages. They can't wait to see me back in Venezuela. It's something a lot of people in Venezuela are going to remember. It's great."

 

There are many people in Venezuela who follow Detroit reporters on Twitter and I heard from one as soon as the announcement was made.

 

In Spanish, @germangimenezgg said, "Here in Venezuela we're happy and proud of Miguel Cabrera's MVP."

 

Winning the Triple Crown and helping his team reach the playoffs are the two things that set Cabrera apart from the rest of his competition, including Trout, the very deserving rookie.

 

I remember being in the clubhouse at the beginning of September and seeing on Twitter that Cabrera had won the award for AL Player of the Month for August. Cabrera happened to be sitting right there, so I congratulated him, showing him on my phone what he had done in August — batting .357 with eight home runs and 24 RBI.

 

At the time, the Tigers were still behind the Chicago White Sox in the Central Division race, so Cabrera looked at his August numbers and said, "I need another one (month) like it."

 

Knowing that his team was going to need another ridiculous month like that is one thing, but going out and doing it is quite another. But that's exactly what Cabrera did.

 

In September, while battling an ankle injury, Cabrera hit .308 with 10 home runs and 27 RBI. To put the icing on the cake, Cabrera finished the regular season with three games in October, hitting .600 with one home run and three RBI.

 

That last month, every time Cabrera stepped to the plate at Comerica Park, the fans greeted him with "MVP! MVP!"

 

On Thursday, Cabrera said their support meant a lot.

 

"Thank you very much," Cabrera said. "I appreciate what they did, not only me, but how they support the Detroit Tigers. We had an excellent season, we didn't finish the way we would like. But we're going to get better."

 

In 2010, Cabrera finished second to Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton. He has been in the top five in each of the last four seasons.

 

Some of the voters noted that Cabrera's willingness to move back to third base from first base to accommodate Fielder was a point in his favor. With all of the things that Cabrera accomplished this past season, he said playing third was the thing that impressed him the most.

 

"I was trying to play good defense," Cabrera said. "I tried to keep the ball in front of me."

 

Defense was the one area where Trout clearly had the advantage, as those who favor Sabermetrics reminded everyone.

 

When asked about the "old school" statistics such as batting average, home runs and runs batted in vs. the "new school" statistics like WAR (wins above replacement) and UZR (ultimate zone rating), Cabrera had the perfect answer.

 

"You can use both," Cabrera said. "In the end, the game is going to be the same. You gotta help your team win. New stuff and old stuff, my goal is always to help my team to win."

 

Cabrera did help his team to win and there's no question the Tigers wouldn't have made the playoffs without him. It doesn't get much more valuable than that.

 

This is why Cabrera is the 2012 AL MVP.

Where are the posters who argued with my opinion that this vote would not be close. I am sure that Miggy lost a few votes on the character issue for his DUI. Of course, it would not be close. When will people learn?

[BSN07]

The only way it was going to be close is if LAA made the playoffs. LA was a 3rd place team before Trout, 3rd place team after. Detroit does not win the Central without Miggy's Triple Crown season. It's really as simple as that.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

And this is why the MVP award is a farce.

[rjortiz]

The only way it was going to be close is if LAA made the playoffs. LA was a 3rd place team before Trout, 3rd place team after. Detroit does not win the Central without Miggy's Triple Crown season. It's really as simple as that.

 

The Angels had more wins than the Tigers. The Angels are in the cellar without Trout.

[Laser Show]

The Angels had more wins than the Tigers. The Angels are in the cellar without Trout.

 

The Angels would've been fine without Trout. That team was stacked. Their struggles in April weren't due to Trout not being there, they were due to nobody else on the team hitting.

[a700hitter]

Miggy is just a beast with the bat. No one compares to him at this point.

[rjortiz]

The Angels would've been fine without Trout. That team was stacked. Their struggles in April weren't due to Trout not being there, they were due to nobody else on the team hitting.

 

Who would have played CF instead of Trout?

[Laser Show]

Who would have played CF instead of Trout?

 

Bourjos.

 

An OF of Trumbo, Hunter, Bourjos/Wells would've been fine. Trout is a great player, but the Angels would have been okay without him. The Tigers would have finished last without Miggy.

[Behindenemylines]

Anyone who wins the triple crown is the MVP in my book.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Anyone who wins the triple crown is the MVP in my book.

Well, your book is dead wrong, since the triple crown is based on inferior stats. On base percentage is a far more useful and revealing stat than batting average, and Trout has Cabrera beat by more in OBP than Cabrera has Trout beat in batting average. RBI is a circumstantial stat that doesn't tell you anything of value. It's worthless.. HR is a totals stat and an inferior measure of power hitting, although Cabrera is ahead of Trout is slugging percentage regardless.

 

Most importantly, Trout absolutely kicks Cabrera's ass in WAR. Trout's number in that category is all-time, Cabrera's is merely all-star level. It's not even close.

 

Again, the MVP award is a joke. In all sports. Cabrera winning this over Trout is a shining example why.

[ibot2much]

Well, your book is dead wrong, since the triple crown is based on inferior stats. On base percentage is a far more useful and revealing stat than batting average, and Trout has Cabrera beat by more in OBP than Cabrera has Trout beat in batting average. RBI is a circumstantial stat that doesn't tell you anything of value. It's worthless.. HR is a totals stat and an inferior measure of power hitting, although Cabrera is ahead of Trout is slugging percentage regardless.

 

Most importantly, Trout absolutely kicks Cabrera's ass in WAR. Trout's number in that category is all-time, Cabrera's is merely all-star level. It's not even close.

 

Again, the MVP award is a joke. In all sports. Cabrera winning this over Trout is a shining example why.

 

Jeez, does MLB know all this?? they use the wrong stats!! Somebody better write them and tell them that they are screwing up their own award.

[Behindenemylines]

MVPs get their team to the playoffs. Cabrera got his team to the playoffs, and the last I checked the Angels did not make the playoffs. Since 1942 only four other guys have won the triple crown: Mr. Williams (twice), Mickey Mantle, Frank Robinson and Yaz. Pretty good company.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Jeez, does MLB know all this?? they use the wrong stats!! Somebody better write them and tell them that they are screwing up their own award.

Trust me, they don't care.

 

MVPs get their team to the playoffs. Cabrera got his team to the playoffs, and the last I checked the Angels did not make the playoffs. Since 1942 only four other guys have won the triple crown: Mr. Williams (twice), Mickey Mantle, Frank Robinson and Yaz. Pretty good company.

The Angels had a better record than the Tigers, you buffoon. And it doesn't matter who else has won the triple crown, because all three of the stats involved are either completely worthless (RBI), or an inferior measurement compared to something else.

 

Batting average is a partial measurement of how often a player gets on base. Well guess what? On base percentage is a full measurement of how often a player gets on base. And Trout beats Cabrera in the latter category.

 

Totals stats like RBI and HR are junk in the first place, but especially in the context of an MVP discussion where one of the players missed a full month. RBI is circumstantial and rooted in other player's accomplishments, so it's beyond useless. Home runs is inferior to slugging percentage. Cabrera's still the better power hitter of the two, but the other two legs of his triple crown award are garbage. If you can't see that, you're a blind, ignorant fool. Simple as that.

 

Wake the f*** up.

[Palodios]

f*** sabermetrics. Miguel Cabrera earned this one.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

No, he didn't.

[Palodios]

No, he didn't.

 

Cabrera had 14 more home runs. He had 56 more RBIS. 56. That's crazy. He also struck out significantly less, and wasn't benefiting from a .400 BABIP.

 

Cabrera also didn't completely fall apart down the stretch, he had a 1.060 OPS in August-September compared to Trout's .830 in the same months.

 

He also played 22 more games than Trout, who missed the entire first month of the season because he was in AAA. He also propelled his team to the World Series while Trout was sitting on the couch.

 

I'd probably give Trout an award for best player. But it isn't necessarily the best player award -- Cabrera has so many intangibles here.

[redsoxrules]

Cabrera bassicaly won that award because of the triple crown.

If he would of fell short of one of the category , Trout would of most likely won.

 

The fact that he got a 10 WAR with 22 games less played just shows how good of an all around player he is . Cabrera might as well be a DH as all he can do is hit as his defense sucks.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Cabrera had 14 more home runs. He had 56 more RBIS. 56. That's crazy. He also struck out significantly less, and wasn't benefiting from a .400 BABIP.

Did I not just get done explaining why RBI and HR totals are junk stats to go by? For anything?

 

Using RBI to argue for one player in favor of another automatically removes all your credibility.

 

Cabrera also didn't completely fall apart down the stretch, he had a 1.060 OPS in August-September compared to Trout's .830 in the same months.

And this matters why?

 

He also played 22 more games than Trout, who missed the entire first month of the season because he was in AAA. He also propelled his team to the World Series while Trout was sitting on the couch.

So it's Mike Trout's fault that he had worse teammates in a better division?

 

I'd probably give Trout an award for best player. But it isn't necessarily the best player award -- Cabrera has so many intangibles here.

No, he doesn't. Trout is the MVP. End of story.

[Emmz]

MVP is a value award, and Trout was more valuable. Oh well, I don't care that Cabrera won it, it was a great accomplishment.

[ibot2much]

 

 

No, he doesn't. Trout is the MVP. End of story.

 

Only in your book and that is meaningless.

[User Name]

I think Cabrera deserved it on the strength of his down-the-stretch numbers and the positional change. At first base, where he has much better defense, his WAR number would have been significantly higher. I'm willing to bet he was rewarded by the "value" of his sacrifice.

[Divinity]

Mike Trout had the best rookie season in the history of MLB with a 10.0 WAR, surpassing Joe Jackson who had a 9.7 WAR a century ago.

[Palodios]

No, he doesn't. Trout is the MVP. End of story.

 

No, Cabrera is definitely the MVP. End of story.

[Behindenemylines]

f*** sabermetrics. Miguel Cabrera earned this one.

 

I was just watching MLB Network and they were replaying the Cabrera interview after he was awarded the MVP. I guess I wasn't the only person who doesn't know what I'm talking about. All the name calling kind of takes from your argument. I have experienced when people start calling others names it is because they don't think they have an argument that is a winner.

[a700hitter]

If Batting average and RBI are such worthless stats, I think someone would have accomplished the feat in the last 45 years. You'd also think that some one would have done it who wasn't a Hall of Fame player. Miggy is the best offensive player in baseball right now. The so-called worthless stats do not prove his greatness. They are a result of his greatness.

[rjortiz]

Trout is the MVP. Gold glove CF with the offensive stats to boot.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Only in your book and that is meaningless.

My book is right, because it isn't based on arbitrary, circumstantial stats.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

If Batting average and RBI are such worthless stats, I think someone would have accomplished the feat in the last 45 years. You'd also think that some one would have done it who wasn't a Hall of Fame player. Miggy is the best offensive player in baseball right now. The so-called worthless stats do not prove his greatness. They are a result of his greatness.

No, RBIs are a result of his teammates getting on base. That has nothing to do with him.

 

Trout leads Cabrera in OBP, which supercedes batting average.

 

Get it through your heads. Trout is the MVP.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Mike Trout had the best rookie season in the history of MLB with a 10.0 WAR, surpassing Joe Jackson who had a 9.7 WAR a century ago.

NOPE CABRERA HAD MOAR RBIS HES MVP

[a700hitter]

No, RBIs are a result of his teammates getting on base. That has nothing to do with him.

 

Trout leads Cabrera in OBP, which supercedes batting average.

 

Get it through your heads. Trout is the MVP.

You obviously didn't read what I posted or you are incapable of understanding.