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Thursday, November 13, 2008

Baseball Writers’ Association of America: LEE TRIBE’S 2ND STRAIGHT CY YOUNG WINNER

EGAD! Look away…Cuyahoga River Blindness!

Cliff Lee of the Cleveland Indians was elected the American League Cy Young Award winner in balloting by the BBWAA. It marked the second consecutive year and third time overall that a Cleveland pitcher was honored. CC Sabathia won last year. The other Indians winner was Gaylord Perry in 1972.

Lee was named first on 24 and second on the other four of the 28 ballots cast by two writers in each league city for a total of 132 points, based on the 5-3-1 tabulation system. The lefthander, 30, was 22-3 in leading the AL in victories, winning percentage (.880) and ERA (2.54) and adding career-high totals of innings (223 1/3) and strikeouts (170) with four complete games and two shutouts. Lee, the starting pitcher for the AL in the All-Star Game July 15 at Yankee Stadium, was the only pitcher named on all ballots.

The other four first-place votes went to Toronto Blue Jays righthander Roy Halladay, who was the runner-up with 71 points. Halladay, the 2003 winner, had a 20-11 record with a 2.78 ERA and led the major leagues in innings (246) and complete games (9). Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim reliever Francisco Rodriguez (2-3, 2.24 ERA), who set a major league record with 62 saves, finished third with 32 points. Four other pitchers received votes.

Repoz Posted: November 13, 2008 at 07:20 PM | 34 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
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1. SteveF Posted: November 13, 2008 at 07:36 PM (#3008386)

In before claims of Midwest bias.

2. HGM Posted: November 13, 2008 at 07:36 PM (#3008389)

I'm glad to see that K-Rod didn't steal any first place votes, nor did he come particularly close to Halladay either.

3. SouthSideRyan Posted: November 13, 2008 at 07:36 PM (#3008391)

Kinda surprised Rodriguez didn't receive any 1st place votes. He certainly didn't deserve any, but people like records.

4. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: November 13, 2008 at 07:40 PM (#3008401)

I just want to commend the BBWAA on their eye pleasing background color. Though I disagree with all of their opinions and find their claims of being "writers" laughable, I do so enjoy that imperial green background. Thank you my friends, thank you sincerely.

(Doing my best guys. I'm no jedi so reverse psychology is all I got. BTW, if you're in the BBWAA, don't read anything in the parenthesis. Thanks.)

5. The District Attorney Posted: November 13, 2008 at 07:44 PM (#3008405)

How do you leave Halladay off your ballot altogether?

6. Danny Posted: November 13, 2008 at 07:44 PM (#3008406)

Strangely, watch K-Rod finish higher in the MVP balloting than Lee and <strike>Sabathia</strike> Halladay.

Edit...

7. HGM Posted: November 13, 2008 at 07:48 PM (#3008411)

How do you leave Halladay off your ballot altogether?

Same way you leave Tim Lincecum off your ballot altogether.

Strangely, watch K-Rod finish higher in the MVP balloting than Lee and Sabathia.

Definitely going to happen...which is sad. Sabathia is also likely going to finish higher in the MVP balloting than Lincecum, Webb, and Santana, who he placed behind in the NL Cy Young vote.

8. A One-Shoed Craig K Posted: November 13, 2008 at 07:49 PM (#3008413)

WOO PIG SOOIE #############

9. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: November 13, 2008 at 07:50 PM (#3008414)

Kinda surprised Rodriguez didn't receive any 1st place votes. He certainly didn't deserve any, but people like records.

Interestingly, Bobby Thipgen finished a distant fourth when he set the record, although that had a lot to do with the fact the AL had three pitchers (Clemens, Stewart and Welch) with 21 wins or more, and Welch won 27.

10. a wider scope of derision Posted: November 13, 2008 at 07:59 PM (#3008422)

Those Matsuzaka votes are pretty horrible, too. Leading the league in walks in only 167 innings? Nice.

Sabathia is also likely going to finish higher in the MVP balloting than Lincecum, Webb, and Santana, who he placed behind in the NL Cy Young vote.

In a weird and crazy way that almost makes sense.

11. Obama Bomaye Posted: November 13, 2008 at 08:02 PM (#3008427)

........Rivera... K-Rod
W-L...... 6-5......2-3
Sv..........39...... 62
BS...........1.........7
ERA......1.40.....2.24
WHIP..0.665..1.288
IP........70.2.....68.1
K............77.......77
HR...........4........4
Sv > 1 IP..9........0

I'm sure that table looks terrible, if someone can fix it please do. Edit - somewhat better

Not really sure how anyone could think K-Rod had a better season than Mo. He allowed TWICE as many baserunners!

12. HGM Posted: November 13, 2008 at 08:05 PM (#3008430)

SAVES!!!!!!!!

13. Obama Bomaye Posted: November 13, 2008 at 08:06 PM (#3008432)

BLOWN SAVES!!!!!

14. Shrike Posted: November 13, 2008 at 08:08 PM (#3008435)

I'm genuinely stunned that anyone can place K-Rod ahead of Halladay. Just nonsensical.

NB. The fact that 3 voters left Doc's name off the ballot .... I'm speechless.

15. Obama Bomaye Posted: November 13, 2008 at 08:09 PM (#3008436)

Admittedly, Rivera did not pitch that well (as well, I guess) in tie games. To me, that should affect him more in MVP voting than in CYA voting, though I realize others might not look at it that way. I don't think most voters considered that at all.

16. HGM Posted: November 13, 2008 at 08:13 PM (#3008443)

When voting for closers, voters rarely consider anything besides straight number of saves.

17. RJ in TO Posted: November 13, 2008 at 08:20 PM (#3008449)

Halladay, the 2003 winner, had a 20-11 record with a 2.78 ERA and led the major leagues in innings (246) and complete games (9).

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned that Halladay didn't actually lead the majors in innings this year.

18. a wider scope of derision Posted: November 13, 2008 at 08:30 PM (#3008460)

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned that Halladay didn't actually lead the majors in innings this year.

Does the NL still count as the majors?

19. Long John McCaine Mutiny on the Bounty (scott) Posted: November 13, 2008 at 08:31 PM (#3008462)

Sabathia gets no respect. He should up his asking price in response.

I can't argue with this, it's a good pick. Halladay has an argument, due to the more innings and CGs, but Lee had an excellent year without that much less value from innings.

20. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: November 13, 2008 at 08:32 PM (#3008464)

That's sort of a tricky one, Ryan. I figured that you were talking about Sabathia, but he doesn't show up on the bb-ref leaderboards because it lists leaders by league. It's probably time to change that.

21. Crispix Attacks Posted: November 13, 2008 at 08:42 PM (#3008477)

OH MY GOD WHAT A BUNCH OF MORONS THIS IS A GRAVE INJUSTICE TO SOMEONE OR OTHER

22. SoSHially Unacceptable Posted: November 13, 2008 at 08:46 PM (#3008480)

OH MY GOD WHAT A BUNCH OF MORONS THIS IS A GRAVE INJUSTICE TO SOMEONE OR OTHER

Personally, I try not to get too worked up over down-ballot injustices.

23. RJ in TO Posted: November 13, 2008 at 08:46 PM (#3008482)

I am referring to Sabathia - he led the majors in innings, but didn't actually lead either league. It's like a couple years ago when Eddie Murray led the majors in BA, but didn't actually lead either league. McGwire pulled the same trick with HRs in 1997.

EDIT: As noted by someone a couple weeks ago, Sabathia also pulled the unique trick of leading both leagues in shutouts - first in the AL and first in the NL.

24. Biff isn't really an apt handle anymore Posted: November 13, 2008 at 09:14 PM (#3008540)

OH MY GOD WHAT A BUNCH OF MORONS THIS IS A GRAVE INJUSTICE TO SOMEONE OR OTHER

It's an injustice to me. Where's my award?

25. sotapop Posted: November 13, 2008 at 09:18 PM (#3008548)

26. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: November 13, 2008 at 09:29 PM (#3008581)

Personally, I try not to get too worked up over down-ballot injustices.

If I know Crispix, I think he's being facetious.

27. SoSHially Unacceptable Posted: November 13, 2008 at 09:31 PM (#3008588)

If I know Crispix, I think he's being facetious.

Yeah, I know. I was trying, though failing, to agree with him.

28. Hugh Jorgan Posted: November 13, 2008 at 10:10 PM (#3008646)

#11,
spot on with the Rivera comparisons, Mariano was far more dominent. I'm too lazy to run the numbers, but I think even Paplebon was more effective overall than K-rod...

Haloheavan, where are you mate, prove me wrong?

29. Not The Real Fausto Carmona (Dan Lee) Posted: November 13, 2008 at 10:25 PM (#3008667)

Once again, the media shows its North Coast bias.

30. Chris Hansen, NBC Dateline Posted: November 13, 2008 at 10:26 PM (#3008668)

This was fairly academic, but still... woohoo! A Cy Young winner we can actually afford!

31. Hugh Jorgan Posted: November 13, 2008 at 10:37 PM (#3008686)

Cliff Lee of the Cleveland Indians was elected the American League Cy Young Award winner in balloting by the BBWAA. It marked the second consecutive year and third time overall that a Cleveland pitcher was honored. CC Sabathia won last year. The other Indians winner was Gaylord Perry in 1972.

And Bob Feller thinks this is bullsh*t as he should've won the first three times by Indians pitchers....those pussys.

32. Completely Unbiased 3rd Party Lurker Posted: November 13, 2008 at 11:27 PM (#3008735)

I just want to commend the BBWAA on their eye pleasing background color. Though I disagree with all of their opinions and find their claims of being "writers" laughable, I do so enjoy that imperial green background. Thank you my friends, thank you sincerely.

1997 called, it wants it's 2008 Cy Young Award Winner website back.

33. Inanimate Carbon Rod Barajas Posted: November 14, 2008 at 12:00 AM (#3008760)

good lord, I hate to jinx it, but... as a member of the much-maligned mainstream media, I have to note that the BBWAA is four-for-four so far, six-for-six if you count managers. and even doing pretty well down-ticket.

Yeah, not bad so far, although in one category a handful of writers voted for someone who wasn't even eligible for the award. The thing is, outside of the NL CY, all of the races were way too obvious in every way for the voters to screw up. That almost as many voters left Halladay off the ballot as voted for him to win is not impressive though.

And when, in a few days, they give the NL MVP to a player who was only slightly better than average, they will lose any goodwill they may have earned.

Really, no one should get too worked up about it though. It's more amusing than anything else.

34. SoSHially Unacceptable Posted: November 14, 2008 at 12:09 AM (#3008765)

And when, in a few days, they give the NL MVP to a player who was only slightly better than average, they will lose any goodwill they may have earned.

It's not going to happen.

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Baseball Writers’ Association of America: LEE TRIBE’S 2ND STRAIGHT CY YOUNG WINNER

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