Catching up on some stuff that’s been sitting on the proverbial desk for awhile. Yeah, it’s a little old, but so am I. Get over it:

Chris at Capitol Punishment examines the Nationals’ least clutch plays of the 2007 season.
Speaking of the Nats, Harper at Oleander and Morning Glories explains why Manny Acta didn’t get serious consideration for NL Manager of the Year.
Erik at Philliesflow wonders why Jimmy Rollins won the NL Silver Slugger at shortstop over Florida’s Hanley Ramirez. Remember, this is a Phillies blogger asking the question.
Will at Chop-n-Change looks at the best ever to play left field for …read more

{democracy:19}

This poll has been running for a while, but it’s gotten a little closer than I’d expected. If you haven’t voted yet, please feel free to do so. Here are some previous entries that might help you make a decision:

Checking In on the MVP Races
Holliday Over Hanley?
Who Will Be NL MVP in ‘07?

One of these days I’ll get around to looking at the American League race. Maybe even before the season ends.
[Update, Sep 23, 2007: As promised, here is the AL MVP poll. ]

That’s the question Jacob at Vegas Watch asks. Actually he asked it earlier in the week, and I’m just now getting around to it. Yes, I’m lame.
Jacob’s analysis is solid, but I disagree with the conclusion, mainly because it gives voters too much credit. Specifically, I don’t know that Prince Fielder will be penalized much for his defense if he keeps leading the league in homers, nor do I have confidence in voters’ ability to understand (or care) just how much Matt Holliday has been helped by Coors Field.
I think the race will come down to Fielder, Holliday, and last …read more

Jacob and his fellow writers at Epic Carnival have assembled a list of their choices for MVP and Cy Young awards if the season ended today. My only gripe is with the NL MVP award. Matt Holliday is enjoying a fine season, but that .299/.362/.470 line away from Coors Field is pretty pedestrian. For my money, he’s not in the same class as Florida’s Hanley Ramirez, who is putting up goofy numbers at a premium defensive position in a much more difficult environment. It also seems like Vlad Guerrero should get a little more love in the AL voting, but …read more

Have you noticed the National League shortstops this season? These are not the players I remember watching as a kid — Bill Russell, Davy Concepcion, Rafael Ramirez, Rafael Santana, Larry Bowa, Tim Foli, et al. Sure, Adam Everett is around, but most of the other guys manning the position now wield a potent bat.
Cal Ripken created a big stir when he first came into the big leagues. Redefined the position, they said. Alan Trammell. Robin Yount. And later, of course, the big three of Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and Nomar Garciaparra.
Those guys all called the American League home. What did …read more