So, predictably, Alex Rodriguez took home the American League MVP award on Monday, yet somehow didn’t manage to get all 28 first places votes like he rightfully should have. Magglio Ordonez pried the final two votes away from A-Rod and while he did deserve to finish second in voting, there should have been no comparison to how well A-Rod played this season.
Then yesterday, in a much tighter race, Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies took home the National League award, narrowly edging Colorado’s stud Matt Holliday by 17 points and 5 first place votes. Rollins nearly led the Phillies into the playoffs while putting up huge, five-tool numbers across the board. Rollins hit 30 and had almost 100 RBIs — which are great numbers for a leadoff man — while hitting .296 and swiping 41 bases.
So congratulations to all the MLB award winners and now the real nitty-gritty of the offseason starts with free agent signings and the winter meetings coming up. I can hardly wait.