The Sporting News 2009 Baseball Awards

The Sporting News' annual baseball awards are being announced this week. These awards are voted by the players rather than the BBWAA.

Gordon Beckham, JA Happ AL, NL rookies of the year:

http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/article/2009-10-20/happ-beckham-named-sn-s-mlb-rookies-year

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Zack Greinke, Tim Lincecum AL, NL pitchers of the year:

http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/article/2009-10-21/sporting-news-names-zack-greinke-tim-lincecum-al-nl-pitchers-year

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Mike Scioscia, Jim Tracy AL, NL managers of the year:

http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/article/2009-10-21/sporting-news-names-mike-scioscia-jim-tracy-al-nl-managers-year

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Sporting News names Albert Pujols 2009 Major League Baseball Player of the Year

http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/article/2009-10-22/sporting-news-names-albert-pujols-2009-mlb-player-year

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Sporting News presents its 2009 American, National League All-Star teams
Joe Mauer, Albert Pujols among top vote-getters in balloting by major league execs

http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/article/2009-10-22/sporting-news-2009-american-national-league-all-star-teams

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Chris Carpenter, Aaron Hill named Sporting News' 2009 comeback players of the year

http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/article/2009-10-22/sporting-news-names-chris-carpenter-aaron-hill-named-2009-comeback-players-ye

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Mariano Rivera, Ryan Franklin named Sporting News' 2009 relievers of the year

http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/article/2009-10-22/marino-rivera-ryan-franklin-named-sporting-news-2009-relievers-year

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(edited to include additional TSN baseball awards announcements)

 

How long before BYH starts complaining about the AL Manager pick?

 

Or someone else about the NL ROY pick?

 

I don't have a huge problem with Beckham over Reimold just because he played a tougher position. I would have gone with Andrew Bailey over either of them. He was absolutely dominant for Oakland (6-3, 26 saves, 1.84 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 91 strikeouts in 81 1/3 innings).

I can see the argument for Tommy Hanson over Happ in the NL. Hanson had a lower ERA and a lower WHIP. Happ had two more starts and one more victory. Either is a good choice.

 

I like the Bailey pick, oop.

If Andrew McCutchen can't win it -- his numbers and defensive position/ability say he has a shot, though -- I'd go with Hanson.

 

10 wins as a starter should NEVER win anyone rookie of the year.

 

There are a SHITLOAD more rookie starting pitchers through history who had 11 or fewer wins and 3 ERAs... than rookie hitters who hit .321 with an .850 OPS and .308 with two outs and runners in scoring position in 565 plate appearances from the leadoff spot.

But I understand some of you subverting your logic to get a rise out of me.

I guess I wear that as a badge of honor.

Thank you.

 

Happ didn't spend the whole year as a starter. He didn't get moved to the rotation until May.

 

Simon's right. A first season like Coghlan's has only happened 22 times in major league history.

For single seasons, From 1901 to 2009, During first season , (requiring BA>=.320, PA>=450 and OPS>=.800):

2009 - Chris Coghlan
2007 - Hunter Pence, Ryan Braun
2001 - Albert Pujols, Ichiro Suzuki
1980 - Dave Stapleton
1974 - Mike Hargrove
1948 - Richie Ashburn
1939 - Ted Williams, Charlie Keller
1936 - Johnny Mize, Joe Dimaggio
1929 - Earl Averill, Johnny Frederick, Dale Alexander
1928 - Del Bissonette
1927 - Lloyd Waner
1926 - Paul Waner
1925 - Mickey Cochrane, Dick Cox
1920 - Bob Meusel
1902 - Patsy Dougherty

Eight of those guys are HOFers, and two more are locks to be. (Too early to tell on Braun.)

 

So what... that's part of it.

Guy can't get a free ride skipping a third of the season by being a spot reliever, while Coghlan is out there, hitting .205 his first month in the bigs, that month being the only thing that kept him from hitting .350.

 

Thank you.