http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=3611226
AL MVP: Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
There's no set formula for what an MVP ought to look like. But I can guarantee you one thing: There has never been an MVP who looked like the Red Sox's favorite mini-mite. I mean, how tall is Dustin Pedroia, anyhow? "I don't know," laughed teammate Sean Casey. "Maybe 5-3? 5-5? 5-6? I don't know. But he plays like he's 6-5, 250."
Well, whatever you measure this guy at (and officially, he's, ahem, 5-foot-9), he has been a larger-than-life figure for a team that sure needed him. Pedroia could still lead the league in hits, runs, doubles and batting. He could become the shortest batting champ since Snuffy Stirnweiss (5-8) in 1945. And that's not all. Would you believe this man has mashed more extra-base hits than either Josh Hamilton or Miguel Cabrera? And batted .374 since June 14? All true.
The Elias Sports Bureau reports that Pedroia's 43 hits and 33 runs in 26 games in August marked the first month that any player has accumulated those numbers in that few games since Lou Gehrig's 48-hit, 35-run June in 1936. When the Red Sox needed Pedroia to hit cleanup for four games, he did that (going 12 for 18, with two homers, four doubles and a 1.222 slugging percentage). When they needed him to steal a base, he did that (20 for 21).
He's an energizer. He's a great defender. He's a leader. "Every night," Casey said, "you know Dustin Pedroia will do something to help you win a ball game."
Sure sounds like an MVP to me -- although just barely over Justin Morneau.
Apologies to: Morneau, Carlos Quentin, Kevin Youkilis, Joe Mauer, Vladimir Guerrero, Grady Sizemore, Hamilton, Evan Longoria, Francisco Rodriguez, Mauer.