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| LA Dodgers Shohei Ohtani. AFP Yonhap News |
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| New York Yankees Aaron Judge ranked first in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, and WAR in both leagues this season. UPI Yonhap News |
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USA Today renowned reporter Bob Nightingale recently argued that New York Yankees Aaron Judge should not be the MVP in an article predicting this season's major categories awards. Seattle Mariners Cal Raleigh, who has renewed the history of Major League catcher home runs, should be the main character.
Taking 1988 MVP LA Dodgers Kirk Gibson and 1991 MVP Atlanta Braves Terry Pendleton as examples, the Nightingale refers to the 'MVP' literally the most valuable player. He said he is not the best player.
In 1988, New York Mets Darryl Strawberry had his prime season with 39 home runs, 101 RBIs, and an OPS of 0.911, while Gibson had an OPS of 0.860, 25 home runs, and 76 RBIs. What is the MVP then? Gibson stressed to his Dodgers teammates that the sense of defeat was no longer acceptable and explained that he led them to the World Series after claiming to be the leader.
As for Pendleton, Barry Bonds (Pittsburgh Pirates) ranked first in the NL with a WAR of 8.0 in 1991, and had the best performance with 25 home runs, 116 RBIs and an OPA of 0.924, but Pendleton put Atlanta, the lowest place in the previous season, at the top of the World Series with a WAR of 6.1, 22 home runs, 86 RBIs and an OPS of 0.880.
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Seattle Mariners Carl Raleigh raises his hand toward the stands during the LA Dodgers match on the 29th (Korea time).
Imagn Images Yonhap News |
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| New York Yankees Aaron Judge. AFP Yonhap News |
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In other words, when selecting MVP, it is necessary to put more emphasis on team contribution, not just personal records like Gibson and Pendleton. In this respect, Raleigh far exceeds Judge.
That makes sense. Seattle won the AL West for the first time in 24 years since 2001 with 90 wins and 72 losses this season. Raleigh's role was absolute. His 60 home runs and 126 RBIs are all No. 1 in the AL, which is not a simple figure for personal records. Raleigh's value, which attracted attention by hitting the most home runs in a season as a switch heater and catcher of all time, shone in both offense and defense.
Of course, Judge's contributions to the Yankees cannot be disparaged, but Raleigh is ahead in terms of that level. Judge combined the two leagues to rank first in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS and WAR. Reporter Nightingale said, "'Jersey, who marked 53 home runs and a batting average of 0.331, is the third player to win the batting title by hitting more than 50 home runs in a season after Jimmy Fox and Mickey Mantle. 'He is undoubtedly the greatest model in Yankees history and the most exemplary model throughout the entire Major League Baseball, and he will one day enter the Hall of Fame...' But he's not the MVP.
Seattle manager Dan Wilson, a former catcher, said in an interview that `The catcher is mentally and physically exhausted after the game. I don't think I've ever seen a player like that before, given what Raleigh did at bat and behind home plate" he said.
The Nightingale reporter said 'It's not stat that defines Raleigh as an MVP candidate. He is a clubhouse leader, has a gold glove-class defense, and leads pitchers to the best pitching. As a result, Seattle ranked No. 1 in the AL West for the first time in 24 years. The opinions of the BBWAA (National Baseball Writers Association) will be tight, but the jersey with an overwhelming offensive stat will have a little advantage. Considering that the two players divide the first-place vote, it is historical no matter what the result will be.
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| Seattle Mariners Carrolli. ImagesYonhap News |
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| LA Dodgers Shohei Ohtani is set for Game 1 of the wild card series against the Cincinnati Reds on the 1st (Korea time)He is throwing a bullpen session at Just Stadium. AP Yonhap News |
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Then, what did Nightingale reporter expect about NL MVP. He said 'If he's healthy and doesn't fall into the abyss, we can call MVP after Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers' designated hitter and starter 'That friend will win MVP every year. It should be unanimous again this year. In the NL, he ranked first in OPS, slugging percentage, scoring, Ruta, and slugging, and hit 55 home runs. On the mound, he claimed that he had an ERA of 2.87 and struck out 11.9 in nine innings.
At the same time, he said 'If it's a drama of NL MVP competition, who's second place?' Of course, Ohtani is the MVP, which is quite different from what the AL expected. Philadelphia Phillies Kyle Schwarber, who won the NL home run and RBI title, did not even mention that he would be ranked second after Ohtani.
This argument has a point. Ohtani was historic again this year. 50 homers and 50 strikeouts in a season and 50 homers and 100 walks and 20 steals in a season are the first in history, respectively, and the Dodgers have also re-established the highest number of points (146) in a season. The Dodgers, who played the season with the pitching staff unstable again this season, may not have reached the postseason without Ohtani.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
