American League Rookie of the Year

Liriano was the BEST pitcher in baseball for a significant portion of the season.

Verlander faded, but still pitched, and you have to credit him for that.

Papelbon should finish behind both of them, whatever order 1-2 goes.

 

Wasn't Weaver just the 2nd half version of Liriano's first half? I vote Verlander-Liriano-Weaver, with Papelbon having the greatest season ever to be left off a ballot, but going into next year, Weaver's the one I want.

 

Yay me!
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2660401

" Verlander, a right-hander, was a runaway winner in the American League over Boston pitcher Jonathan Papelbon. "

 

Wow. Verlander was placed first on 26 of the 28 ballots.

 

Wow. Johjima placed higher than Weaver. A sign that some writers are idiots.

 

Another sign is Papelbon ahead of Liriano, but whatever.

Verlander deserved it. Didn't think it would be that decisive, though.

 

Verlander's the only one that went the whole season. This can't be much of a surprise.

Even though Papelbon pitched plenty of the season to be a real candidate, "shutting him down" is not a phrase associated with award winners. Liriano and Weaver suffered from the same concept: just weren't around long enough.

The Johjima vote, however, was completely foolish.

 

Who picked Markakis as ROY? If any position player deserved (and he wouldn't have been in my top 3), but Melky Cabrera would have been highest for me. Stabilized one of the corner OF spots while Yanks battled big injury problems.

Six Marlins got at least 1 point.

 

I got a Verlander to sign hat (no I was not working at the time) this summer at a Oakland game, should I sell it on ebay? How much should I start bid at? $6.59?

 

My point about Cabrera was he stepped in when Matsui went down and helped them avoid going into a total nosedive. In the end, I agree, Markakis will be a better player. Just thought Cabrera helped the Yanks win a division title, while Markakis helped the O's to their annual fourth place finish. My judgment may also be clouded by the Red Sox fan in me, Cabrera had the better numbers against the Sox.

 

Yeah, you were the only one who foresaw that.