Tough Luck Jeter

[timmgirvan]

Originally Posted by pmayjr

Timm,
You probably won't take me seriously, because I'm from MN. But I seriously disagree with literally everything you say. If you can get over the fact I'm from MN to view the valid points I'm about to raise- please read on, if not... I undertsand if you think I have a built in Bias.

In terms of intangables- like leadership ability, defense and straight up hard-nose'd play. Jeter kills Morneau. He really does. But! With all of that other talent that the Yankees have around him up and down that batting order, I still think the Yankees win the AL East without him.

For Morneau- He's a true Twins slugger that the Twins haven't had in literally 15 years. That's the last time the Twins had a 30 HR hitter. And in clutch situations, at least after early June, Morneau was $$$$$$. Morneau after June 1 was irreplacable in the Twins lineup. For his power hitting ability, his ability to come up with huge hits when the Twins needed them most, and that when he got hot in early June... hmm... kinda coincided with that massive run the Twins had, you gotta give it to him. Remember- On June 1st, the Twins were 10 games under .500. This run started with a big part having to do with Morneau's bat waking up.

Now as far as the voting process- Nobody was more shocked that Morneau won the award than Twins fans. Everyone here thought Morneau deserved it, but that there's this east coast bias that exists with these kind of awards. We thought Morneau deserved to win it, BUT WE THOUGHT HE HAD NO CHANCE BECAUSE OF AN EAST COAST BIAS that seems to take place with these things. I thought Jeter was a lock to win it, so I was pleasantly surprised when Morneau won.

So in conclusion- I don't take anything away from Jeter. He had a good year, and he represents everything that is good about baseball (except that he plays for the Yanks). He is the only Yankee I like and cheer for. But seriously- THE TWINS DO NOT WIN THE AL CENTRAL (and probably don't make the playoffs) WITHOUT THE EMERGENCE OF MORNEAU. With all of the other great players the Yanks have, they still probably win the AL East without Jeter. And that is the definition of MVP. As a complete player, no doubt Jeter is better. BUT WHO IS MORE VALUABLE TO THEIR TEAM?- Morneau without question. I'm happy Morneau won, not just as a Twins fan, but also because he deserved it.

Brian: Morneau had an incredible year,but if the Tigers played .500 ball for the monthe of Sept. then the Twins wouldn't have the title. And please remember that the yanks had a list of injuries that had makeshift lineup til middle of Sept. But it's all good. Enjoy the holiday,bub!

[pmayjr]

The name is Pete- But it's all good. That's very true about if the Tigers, and the Chi Sox for that matter, if both teams don't slump- The Twins don't make the playoffs. At the beginning of August, even after going on that huge run for 2 monhts, the Twins were still 10 games back of the Tigers. But to even have a chance, to even get that close, it was because of Morneau.

And the rebuttle to the Tigers/White Sox slump argument is the Red Sox and the Blue Jays tanked as well, so the Yanks pretty much coasted into the payoffs. The Yankees still had Damon, had Giambi, had A-Rod (who eventhough slumped still hit 30 bombs and put up decent numbers), and they traded for Abreau and Lidle. So I still believe without Jeter, even with injuries to Matsui and Sheffield, they still would've won. And while those guys didn't play for most of the year, they were still close to 1st the whole way until the Red Sox tanked. Some of that had to do with Jeter, but still that lineup had so many weapons I still think they win the Divi.

[Cannon Shell]

Joe Mauer should have been the MVP

[randallscott35]

A Better case could be made for Frank Thomas. Much more valuable to a team that couldn't hit worth a damn.

[pmayjr]

Now Randall I do agree with that... As for Mauer, no way. He hit for avaergae. But he wasn't that power hitting run-producer the Twins so desperately needed.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by pmayjr

Now Randall I do agree with that... As for Mauer, no way. He hit for avaergae. But he wasn't that power hitting run-producer the Twins so desperately needed.

Run "producers" are only as good as the three guys in front of them are at getting on. Pitching was what brought the twins back and if you dont think Mauer had something to do with that then I guess you are right.

[pmayjr]

I'm not trying to take anything away from Mauer. Him hitting for average and getting on base were huge. But if you wanna use that argument. Luis Castillo moving to the leadoff spot and Punto's emergence in the #2 spot, with them both hitting close to .300, goes just as far as Mauer. Seriously Cannon Shell- It's been literally 15 years since there's been a run producer like Morneau for the Twins. They didn't even have a guy in the so called "Juiced" era the past 10 years. A lot of guys had thei part in the great run the Twins had, but no one more than Morneau.