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In awards country, there are hotly contested campaigns. Then, there's the American League MVP Award race, where Alex Rodriguez is running virtually unopposed.
Made even more impressive by perspective, the All-Star third baseman has tendered one of the most devastating and dominating offensive seasons in recent memory. With the background of a 2006 season in which he took both an emotional and physical beating in New York, Rodriguez's focused rebirth with the Yankees in 2007 was an admirable example of the power of a competitive spirit.
Never really letting up from his mythical start -- 14 homers in his first 18 games -- Rodriguez lapped the league. His 54 homers were eight ahead of the runner-up (Carlos Pena), and 54 percent more than the next player on the list (David Ortiz and Jim Thome, 35).
Overall, it has been a top-heavy season for flag bearers in the AL. While no one has done it on quite as grand a scale, Rodriguez does have some company on the pedestal from two other players who have been as conspicuous on their contending teams.
Magglio Ordonez compensated for not being the home run king by securing the Tigers' first batting title in 46 years -- and his .363 average was the league's second highest by a right-handed batter (Nomar Garciaparra, .372 in 2000) in 68 years since Joe DiMaggio's .381 in 1939.
Once again, Vladimir Guerrero had the big stick in the Angels' banjo-bat rack. He reminds you of the movie "My Bodyguard" -- an intimidator who always shows up to quell peril and restore order.
There are other worthy candidates for the award, which will be given out on Nov. 19, some of whose merits are perhaps distorted by the prism of provincialism. There is little doubt that there is value everywhere. But when it comes to the AL's Most Valuable Player in 2007, there is no doubt.
THE FAVORITES
Alex Rodriguez, Yankees: A-Rod set an early tone with a walk-off grand slam in the season's fourth game, and he never looked back. Always a numbers-cruncher, he has buried a reputation for doing most of his damage when it counts the least by batting .333 with 18 homers and 98 RBIs with runners in scoring position, and .349 in the seventh inning or later this season. Along the way, A-Rod has set a multitude of significant home run records, from being the youngest to reach 500 to a new all-time high for third basemen. But this award isn't about personal accomplishments, but about team value, and no one meant more than Rodriguez, who finished 29 homers and 53 RBIs ahead of his closest teammate Hideki Matsui, on both counts.
Magglio Ordonez, Tigers: Ordonez has emphatically reclaimed his status as one of the truly underappreciated monsters of the game, after two seasons of battling a left knee injury. With 139 RBIs, Ordonez just missed becoming the first Detroit player to drive in 140 runs since Hank Greenberg knocked in 150 in 1940. Ordonez produced (RBIs plus runs minus homers) 15 percent of his team's runs -- the same, it's worth noting, as Rodriguez.
Vladimir Guerrero, Angels: Guerrero has an overwhelming presence in a lineup of otherwise little-ball people, but some will argue he has been less "valuable" to this edition compared to past Angels teams; Garret Anderson's revival and Chone Figgins' four-month fire also helped fuel the AL West Division runaway. Still, Guerrero remains the most-feared man in the Angels' lineup, which affects how opponents approach everyone else. And his ability to carry a team for long stretches remains gospel. A last-month triceps injury held him three homers shy of his ninth 30-100 season.
THE CONTENDERS
Mike Lowell, Red Sox: Lowell was Boston's steadiest hand all season, though somewhat lost in the considerable third-base shadow of A-Rod and the Red Sox Nation shadows of Manny Ramirez and Ortiz. However, by leading the team with his 120 RBIs, this "throw-in" in the Josh Beckett deal has established himself as one of the biggest steals in recent history.
Victor Martinez, Indians: With the Tribe winding up tied with the Red Sox for the league's best record, it's only reasonable for one of them to merit MVP consideration, and no one is more worthy than this versatile and dangerous catcher. The 28-year-old Martinez led the Indians in the Triple Crown categories (.301, 25 homers and 114 RBIs), while seeing considerable action at first base in addition to behind the plate.
THE FIELD
Carlos Pena, Devil Rays
Curtis Granderson, Tigers
C.C. Sabathia, Indians
In awards country, there are hotly contested campaigns. Then, there's the American League MVP Award race, where Alex Rodriguez is running virtually unopposed.
Made even more impressive by perspective, the All-Star third baseman has tendered one of the most devastating and dominating offensive seasons in recent memory. With the background of a 2006 season in which he took both an emotional and physical beating in New York, Rodriguez's focused rebirth with the Yankees in 2007 was an admirable example of the power of a competitive spirit.
Never really letting up from his mythical start -- 14 homers in his first 18 games -- Rodriguez lapped the league. His 54 homers were eight ahead of the runner-up (Carlos Pena), and 54 percent more than the next player on the list (David Ortiz and Jim Thome, 35).
Overall, it has been a top-heavy season for flag bearers in the AL. While no one has done it on quite as grand a scale, Rodriguez does have some company on the pedestal from two other players who have been as conspicuous on their contending teams.
Magglio Ordonez compensated for not being the home run king by securing the Tigers' first batting title in 46 years -- and his .363 average was the league's second highest by a right-handed batter (Nomar Garciaparra, .372 in 2000) in 68 years since Joe DiMaggio's .381 in 1939.
Once again, Vladimir Guerrero had the big stick in the Angels' banjo-bat rack. He reminds you of the movie "My Bodyguard" -- an intimidator who always shows up to quell peril and restore order.
There are other worthy candidates for the award, which will be given out on Nov. 19, some of whose merits are perhaps distorted by the prism of provincialism. There is little doubt that there is value everywhere. But when it comes to the AL's Most Valuable Player in 2007, there is no doubt.
THE FAVORITES
Alex Rodriguez, Yankees: A-Rod set an early tone with a walk-off grand slam in the season's fourth game, and he never looked back. Always a numbers-cruncher, he has buried a reputation for doing most of his damage when it counts the least by batting .333 with 18 homers and 98 RBIs with runners in scoring position, and .349 in the seventh inning or later this season. Along the way, A-Rod has set a multitude of significant home run records, from being the youngest to reach 500 to a new all-time high for third basemen. But this award isn't about personal accomplishments, but about team value, and no one meant more than Rodriguez, who finished 29 homers and 53 RBIs ahead of his closest teammate Hideki Matsui, on both counts.
Magglio Ordonez, Tigers: Ordonez has emphatically reclaimed his status as one of the truly underappreciated monsters of the game, after two seasons of battling a left knee injury. With 139 RBIs, Ordonez just missed becoming the first Detroit player to drive in 140 runs since Hank Greenberg knocked in 150 in 1940. Ordonez produced (RBIs plus runs minus homers) 15 percent of his team's runs -- the same, it's worth noting, as Rodriguez.
Vladimir Guerrero, Angels: Guerrero has an overwhelming presence in a lineup of otherwise little-ball people, but some will argue he has been less "valuable" to this edition compared to past Angels teams; Garret Anderson's revival and Chone Figgins' four-month fire also helped fuel the AL West Division runaway. Still, Guerrero remains the most-feared man in the Angels' lineup, which affects how opponents approach everyone else. And his ability to carry a team for long stretches remains gospel. A last-month triceps injury held him three homers shy of his ninth 30-100 season.
THE CONTENDERS
Mike Lowell, Red Sox: Lowell was Boston's steadiest hand all season, though somewhat lost in the considerable third-base shadow of A-Rod and the Red Sox Nation shadows of Manny Ramirez and Ortiz. However, by leading the team with his 120 RBIs, this "throw-in" in the Josh Beckett deal has established himself as one of the biggest steals in recent history.
Victor Martinez, Indians: With the Tribe winding up tied with the Red Sox for the league's best record, it's only reasonable for one of them to merit MVP consideration, and no one is more worthy than this versatile and dangerous catcher. The 28-year-old Martinez led the Indians in the Triple Crown categories (.301, 25 homers and 114 RBIs), while seeing considerable action at first base in addition to behind the plate.
THE FIELD
Carlos Pena, Devil Rays
Curtis Granderson, Tigers
C.C. Sabathia, Indians
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