Post from: Knuckle Curve

I will trust the writers to vote for the right person in any given award only after they have done so.

Update, 12 Nov 2007: It has been pointed out to me that the example I chose to use — Gold Glove Award — does not, in fact, fall under the jurisdiction of the BBWAA. Although the ensuing rant about Gold Glove voting incompetence still holds, it should be directed at coaches and managers, and not the BBWAA. What should be directed at the latter institution are the ‘79, ‘87, and ‘91 NL MVP; ‘95 AL MVP; ‘87 NL Cy Young; ‘83 and ‘90 AL Cy Young; etc., ad nauseam.

Three Derek Jeter Gold Gloves should be evidence enough, but beyond those, a particularly egregious miscarriage of justice occurred in 1999. That year, the BBWAA awarded Rafael Palmeiro the AL Gold Glove at first base on the basis of his fine work in 28 games at the position.

Look, I’m willing to cut a guy slack for making an honest mistake. Jeter’s a poor defensive shortstop, but he’s in New York and he gets a lot of hype. Despite the evidence against him, at least he plays the position.

Palmeiro was a DH in ‘99. Think about that. The best-case scenario in this case is that everyone who voted for Palmeiro was just lazy, not paying attention, not doing their job well.

Other possibilities? Honestly, I’d just as soon not go there. As has been said of many a politician, “Well, I hope he’s only incompetent.”

Post from: Knuckle Curve