Hello Fans,
The stadiums are empty, the games are over, and the players are golfing and fishing, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t any Big League action going on, no sir! We’ve already got players moving around, team name changes, and the Season Awards are under way. So let’s get to it!
We’ll start with the newbies. Both Rookies of the Year are Pitchers with Tampa’s Jeremy Hellickson and Atlanta’s Craig Kimbrel. Rookies or otherwise, these two guys really tore it up this year. Sometimes those rookie numbers don’t jump out at you (due to not being a regular in the lineup or starting the season in the minors, etc.), but Hellickson and Kimbrel put up legitimate All-Star caliber numbers. Hellickson went 13-10 with a 2.95 ERA and 2 complete games and a shutout to boot. He doesn’t strikeout a lot of people, but his K:BB ratio (117 to 72) should get better. Kimbrel really tore it up as he set the rookie record for saves with 46 and had an astounding 127 K’s in 77 innings and posted a 1.04 WHIP (walks + hits per innings pitched). That’s what ya like to see from an overpowering closer. However, I’m sure he can still improve on the 8 blown saves (one less of those and the Cards go home early instead of to the tourney). It’s safe to say that these guys look to be cornerstones of their clubs for years to come.
O.K. that takes care of the youngsters. Now, let’s get to the veteran YOUNGsters. As expected, Justin Verlander took down the CY NOT OLD award in the A.L. He was a unanimous pick after an incredible season featuring a no-hitter, 2 shutouts, 24 wins, and 250 Ks to an astonishing 57 BBs. That near 5 K to 1 BB ratio shows his amazing control for the hardest thrower around. And that’s a huge understatement. He also had a 0.920 WHIP. Folks, that’s video game-like domination in the real world. And in the N.L. ya gotta love the really NOT OLD Clayton Kershaw grabbing the YOUNG for the Dodgers as the 23 year-old southpaw actually averaged more Ks per 9 innings pitched than Verlander (9.6 to 9.0) while leading the league with 21 wins and 248 Ks. Toward the end of the season, some critics leaned toward Halladay (who came in 2nd) due to Kershaw playing in vast Dodger Stadium at home and Doc being in the bandbox in Philly. I love Doc as much as anyone, but forget the home stadium argument. It’s the WHOLE season that counts. Period. Don’t tell me that his stadium helped him lead the league in Ks or some other stat. I’m thinking the batters weren’t taking into account the field dimensions as they tried to hit what they couldn’t see being offered from Clayton. Kershaw had 2 more W’s, 1 less loss, and a lower ERA (2.28 to 2.35). Congrats Justin and Clayton!