November 23rd, 2008 by Banditos GM
AL MVP
1) Jimmy Garrett, OMA
2) Artie Bicknell, WAS
3) Rick Sloan, POR
Notes: When it was all said and done, we could not vote any one above Garrett. He was the main offensive force behind probably one of the best offenses in history, the league's winningest team, and just short of a Triple Crown. Bicknell was our second choice and also fairly easy for us, considering his numbers in SLG and OPS. If the rest of the league (computer) votes Bicknell MVP, will Omaha GM MikeG have cost his star player an MVP trophy with his odd vote? That will be major talking head fodder throughout the whole offseason and perhaps lead to a deteriorated relationship between Garrett and the Omaha Front Office. I, too, was torn between Picot and Sloan at #3 but Sloan's numbers were just too impressive for Picot and his intangible value to the Mutiny to overcome. Also, I was surprised to see Ken Bryant made the ballot, we don't think he was even the MVP of our team.
AL Bob Gibson Award
1) Steven Ferguson, MIN
2) Ed Jackson, OMA
3) Nate Harris, MIN
Notes: This was a fairly easy category. Ferguson was the best pitcher, on a great team. Jackson was also a solid number two, not too much thought. The third was much more difficult, MacGregor and Harris were very close but we just felt that Harris had just as good numbers, maybe better and won a lot of games for the second best team. After those 4 we think it drops off a little bit, although I will say that Romano was very solid and I feel he has that intangible going for him. Kind of an air of dominance that numbers don't reflect.
AL Fireman of the Year Award
1) Stu MacNiter, MIN
2) Joe Murphy, KC
3) Lou "Franchise" Bennett, MIA
Notes: Once again an easy choice, MacNiter delivered 46 saves for a dominant team. He performed well though in all may be less talented than Murphy. If Murphy stays in KC for an extended time we may see him and MacNiter battle it out for the award year in and year out. Bennett did well in his first full season as the closer, although he struggled with his control it did not translate into blown saves or many runs. Bennett was a heart attack closer but dependable. Punk Perez had a bad stint which hurt his stats and his reputation. Although, I still believe he is among the elite this was not his finest year.
AL Manager of the Year
1) Dave Morgan, OMA
2) Pepe Vargas, MIN
3) Todd Thurman, POR
Notes: Morgan wins hands down, this is not to say Vargas' accomplishments were not amazing. It's just that Morgan took a team to new heights and a team that other managers with virtually identical talents failed with. Morgan knew how to push the right buttons. Vargas was amazing all the way down into the stretch run. He pushed Omaha until the last day and will surely contend for this award in the future. Todd Thurman was worthy of some recognition although his team sputtered late into the season. To manage players like Sloan, H. Garcia into career years is impressive, and overcoming expectations always benefits one in this category.
AL Executive of the Year
1) Matt Egghead, MIN
2) MikeG, OMA
3) RobM, MIA
Notes: This was by the far the toughest vote in the AL this year. It's like comparing Michaelangelo's years creating the Sistine Chapel against the flashy brilliance of a Jackson Pollock painting doing on the spot. MikeG molded this team since he took over, Egghead made quick, brilliant moves right away for immediate success. The vote really hinged on Egghead's sheer craftiness which we admired. Overall though, it's more like a 1a and 1b then a 1 and 2 vote. RobM gets the 3rd vote because let's face it, I'm RobM and the league is tiring of Washington accolades after 23 years.
AL Angel Rosa Award
1) Ed Jackson, OMA
2) Juan Velazquez, DEN
3) Jose Garcia, WAS
Notes: Ed Jackson was a no brainer, in some years he would have been a Bob Gibson winner. I was surprised at the lack of Velazquez votes on the other ballot. Miami definitely prefers every day players in the Rosa and Velazquez was a solid contributor for Denver. His rookie year numbers were decent and he plays a tough position. Garcia played everyday at SS for a strong Washington team and his defense needs to be considered as well. We believe Shawn Carr and Bartolo Barrios are definitely worthy candidates but overall the contributions of Velazquez and Garcia were greater to their respective teams.
1) Jimmy Garrett, OMA
2) Artie Bicknell, WAS
3) Rick Sloan, POR
Notes: When it was all said and done, we could not vote any one above Garrett. He was the main offensive force behind probably one of the best offenses in history, the league's winningest team, and just short of a Triple Crown. Bicknell was our second choice and also fairly easy for us, considering his numbers in SLG and OPS. If the rest of the league (computer) votes Bicknell MVP, will Omaha GM MikeG have cost his star player an MVP trophy with his odd vote? That will be major talking head fodder throughout the whole offseason and perhaps lead to a deteriorated relationship between Garrett and the Omaha Front Office. I, too, was torn between Picot and Sloan at #3 but Sloan's numbers were just too impressive for Picot and his intangible value to the Mutiny to overcome. Also, I was surprised to see Ken Bryant made the ballot, we don't think he was even the MVP of our team.
AL Bob Gibson Award
1) Steven Ferguson, MIN
2) Ed Jackson, OMA
3) Nate Harris, MIN
Notes: This was a fairly easy category. Ferguson was the best pitcher, on a great team. Jackson was also a solid number two, not too much thought. The third was much more difficult, MacGregor and Harris were very close but we just felt that Harris had just as good numbers, maybe better and won a lot of games for the second best team. After those 4 we think it drops off a little bit, although I will say that Romano was very solid and I feel he has that intangible going for him. Kind of an air of dominance that numbers don't reflect.
AL Fireman of the Year Award
1) Stu MacNiter, MIN
2) Joe Murphy, KC
3) Lou "Franchise" Bennett, MIA
Notes: Once again an easy choice, MacNiter delivered 46 saves for a dominant team. He performed well though in all may be less talented than Murphy. If Murphy stays in KC for an extended time we may see him and MacNiter battle it out for the award year in and year out. Bennett did well in his first full season as the closer, although he struggled with his control it did not translate into blown saves or many runs. Bennett was a heart attack closer but dependable. Punk Perez had a bad stint which hurt his stats and his reputation. Although, I still believe he is among the elite this was not his finest year.
AL Manager of the Year
1) Dave Morgan, OMA
2) Pepe Vargas, MIN
3) Todd Thurman, POR
Notes: Morgan wins hands down, this is not to say Vargas' accomplishments were not amazing. It's just that Morgan took a team to new heights and a team that other managers with virtually identical talents failed with. Morgan knew how to push the right buttons. Vargas was amazing all the way down into the stretch run. He pushed Omaha until the last day and will surely contend for this award in the future. Todd Thurman was worthy of some recognition although his team sputtered late into the season. To manage players like Sloan, H. Garcia into career years is impressive, and overcoming expectations always benefits one in this category.
AL Executive of the Year
1) Matt Egghead, MIN
2) MikeG, OMA
3) RobM, MIA
Notes: This was by the far the toughest vote in the AL this year. It's like comparing Michaelangelo's years creating the Sistine Chapel against the flashy brilliance of a Jackson Pollock painting doing on the spot. MikeG molded this team since he took over, Egghead made quick, brilliant moves right away for immediate success. The vote really hinged on Egghead's sheer craftiness which we admired. Overall though, it's more like a 1a and 1b then a 1 and 2 vote. RobM gets the 3rd vote because let's face it, I'm RobM and the league is tiring of Washington accolades after 23 years.
AL Angel Rosa Award
1) Ed Jackson, OMA
2) Juan Velazquez, DEN
3) Jose Garcia, WAS
Notes: Ed Jackson was a no brainer, in some years he would have been a Bob Gibson winner. I was surprised at the lack of Velazquez votes on the other ballot. Miami definitely prefers every day players in the Rosa and Velazquez was a solid contributor for Denver. His rookie year numbers were decent and he plays a tough position. Garcia played everyday at SS for a strong Washington team and his defense needs to be considered as well. We believe Shawn Carr and Bartolo Barrios are definitely worthy candidates but overall the contributions of Velazquez and Garcia were greater to their respective teams.
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