Each week, I am participating in the 2008 MLB Blog Poll at BaseballHappenings.com. Below are my current votes for the Most Valuable Player, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards. These votes will be tabulated among other votes from other blogs to create a running master list of voting as the year progresses. This week is the A.L. voting. Votes were asked to be turned in by the end of Wednesday.
MVP:
1. CF Josh Hamilton, TEX: “The Natural” is chasing the Triple Crown.
2. LF Carlos Quentin, CHW: Think the Diamondbacks are regretting choosing Eric Byrnes over him right about now?
3. Manny Ramirez, BOS: Think he’s happy to have 500 behind him? Three straight games with a HR.
Cy Young:
1. SP Cliff Lee, CLE: Lee isn’t untouchable anymore, but his 8-1, 1.88 line is keeping the Indians in contention.
2. SP Daisuke Matsuzaka, BOS: Despite a high walk total, he’s 8-0 with a 2.53 ERA. Now he gets 15 days to rest his arm.
3. SP Joe Saunders, LAA: Who needs Lackey and Escobar when you’ve got Joe Saunders and fellow surprise Ervin Santana?
Rookie of the Year:
1. CF Jacoby Ellsbury, BOS: Seven steals in three games. Leads the majors in SB despite not playing full-time. On pace to shatter Red Sox single season record.
2: SP Nick Blackburn, MIN: No one knew who Blackburn was coming in, but he’s providing a shot in the arm to the Santana-less Twins.
3. CF David Murphy, TEX: Former Boston castoff is doing just fine in Texas, thank you very much.
What do you think? Did I do a good job picking the award winners if the season was to end today?
