As an employee, I never did like those damn sports writers. They thought they could go anywhere in the park because they are GOD and they know everything. Clearly, they don't know as much as they claim they do. They were never behind the scenes unless it was in the locker room. But nothing too important can be learned there.
MVP, to me, is the man who steps up on and off the field, as well. I worked the new underground batting tunnel this year which was behind the dugout. The days after blowouts or losses in general, most of the guys were down. Ortiz would walk in and everyone would be laughing. He always cracked a joke or two and just lightened the mood. He could even get Schilling, who couldn't smile if you paid him, to crack a few laughs. Besides Millar, he was the team clown. He would always talk to the employees too, just regular guys who happen to see him everyday. I can almost guarantee that Arod didnt give two shits about the employees who bust their balls everyday for crap money just to make sure he and his pinstripes can play their games. Ortiz was just the man on and off the field, but of course all that lesser stuff doesn't matter for the award.
Jayson Stark put it perfectly. It seems the MLB hardknocks changed around the rules this year just so Arod could win. I wonder how many figures that set back Steinbrenner.
And yes, Arod was good with the glove, but then again he is the master at the "glove" in bed with Jeter.