Yaz's '67 season remains truly remarkable. Besides HR, RBI, and AVE, he also led the league in runs scored, hits, OBP, SLG, OPS (obviously), OPS+, TBs, won a Gold Glove, and was the unanimous MVP. He also missed leading the league in doubles by three, was 4th in walks...and grounded into only 4 DPs in 680 PAs that season.

As good as his career stats were, he was definitely a guy whose counting stats were hurt by the timing of his career. For example, he won three batting titles in his career, with averages of .326, .325, and .301.

Yaz will be the left fielder in Heaven.

When Mantle won Triple Crown in 1956, he led the Major Leagues in each category. IIRC, Gehrig did it, too, perhaps others, but pretty rare.

and was the unanimous MVP.

umm--ummmm-- Minneapolis Star sports writer Max Nichols voted for Cesar Tovar

(Oh yes he did)

I remember as a kid following Yaz in 1967 and hoping that he'd win the triple crown. It was fresh on people's minds, of course, since Frank Robinson did it the year before. So I find it hard to believe that nobody in the Boston area was talking about it.

BAvg, HR, and RBI were printed in each Sunday's paper back then, so it isn't like it was the stone age when it came to stats. I tallied the league leaders in the three stats the last week of the season by hand from the daily box scores. If I remember right, Yaz tied Killebrew (or maybe it was the other way around) during the week. There was even discussion whether being tied in HR would be a triple crown.

Then, I think, on the last day of the season, both Yaz and Killebrew each hit another home run, so they remained tied. I think the league president (Joe Cronin?) had to announce that Yaz would be credited with the triple crown even though he "only" tied in HR while leading in RBI and batting average.

umm--ummmm-- Minneapolis Star sports writer Max Nichols voted for Cesar Tovar

(Oh yes he did)

Yes, the prick.

I find it hard to believe that nobody in the Boston area was talking about it.

Agreed. There was a fair amount of talk among those interested in baseball everywhere. Perhaps Yaz is just over emphasizing how the Triple Crown was secondary to the pennant race.

umm--ummmm-- Minneapolis Star sports writer Max Nichols voted for Cesar Tovar

You had to see him every day to appreciate his value.

Yaz will be the left fielder in Heaven.

Bonds, sure, but is Musial also going to Hell?

EDIT: It's possible I've overlooked another Red Sox LF in putting together that list.

Pretty crowded OF on the Hell team:

Bonds, Cobb, Ruth, Joe Jackson (if he was really guilty of course) ... as long as they keep Rose's ass on the bench I'll be OK.

For those wondering where Mantle might be, as Richard Thompson sings "God loves a drunk."

It's possible I've overlooked another Red Sox LF in putting together that list.

Well, being frozen may put you in a special category.

You can be Lord Jesus
All the world will understand
Down where the drunkards roll

And on Tovar, here's an intersting (?) idea for one of you to waste time on ...

top 10 stupidest #1 MVP and CYA votes.

For example, Tovar had 2.1 WAR that year. Yaz had 12.

Eddie Joost, 1947. Joost hit .206 with 13 HR for a fifth place team. Ted Williams won the triple crown. Joost got two first place MVP votes.

Oh no, don't bring up the triple crown again...

For example, Tovar had 2.1 WAR that year. Yaz had 12.

Tovar led the league in games played with 164, while that prima donna Yaz played only a partial season (161).

Those Joost voters knew their OBP value!!!

For example, Tovar had 2.1 WAR that year. Yaz had 12.

Yes, but I've long argued that dWAR really underestimates his value at 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, RF...and maybe a couple others.

I guess there was no obvious choice for NL MVP in 1995, since B.L. Bonds was disqualified by having already won three of the things. However, the thought processes of the person who voted Ron Gant #1 are unclear.

Babe Ruth in Hell? You have no heart, sir. As a good Catholic, the Babe is having a blast right now in Purgatory, but no way is the Lord going to be denied the Babe-a-tific vision in the long run.

And on Tovar, here's an intersting (?) idea for one of you to waste time on ...

top 10 stupidest #1 MVP and CYA votes.

How about any time a closer received a first place vote for MVP? K-Rod was the most recent in 2008.

How many closers have gotten first place votes?

I know Jose Mesa did. (in the same year as Ron Gant)

Meanwhile, Miggy is faltering & could end up leading in only 1 category (RBI), or even none. (Although still a sweetheart and a wonderful baseball player, particularly in the hitting department.)

Eddie Joost, 1947. Joost hit .206 with 13 HR for a fifth place team. Ted Williams won the triple crown. Joost got two first place MVP votes.

And Williams only got three, tied with George McQuinn and behind Joe Page (7) and MVP winner DiMaggio (8)... though at least all of them were on the pennant winner.

However, the thought processes of the person who voted Ron Gant #1 are unclear.

"This team lost Kevin Mitchell, the best hitter in the game, but Gant stepped right in and led the team to the division title. His grit and determination in coming back from the lost motorbike injury and the missed 1994 season proved to be this inspiration his team needed to have a big season."

How many closers have gotten first place votes?

I know Jose Mesa did. (in the same year as Ron Gant)

At least two have actually won the award: Willie Hernandez in '84 and Dennis Eckersley.

At least two have actually won the award: Willie Hernandez in '84 and Dennis Eckersley.

Rollie did as well.

NL voters have resisted the urge. In fact, it's been 44 years since any NL pitcher won the award.

Hey Walt. Heaven has a deep bench.

Apparently because NL pitchers have to bat, people realize how one dimensional their game is.

At least two have actually won the award: Willie Hernandez in '84 and Dennis Eckersley.



Rollie did as well.

Jim Konstanty says hello

But only on a Ouija board.

How about any time a closer received a first place vote for MVP? K-Rod was the most recent in 2008.

Brad Lidge got 2 that year!

How about any time a closer received a first place vote for MVP? K-Rod was the most recent in 2008.

Brad Lidge got 2 that year!

There have been a bunch.

Gossage got 4 in1980, the year Brett hit .390.
Kent Tekulve got one in 1979
Sparky Lyle in 1977
Sutter in 1982 (0.8 WAR!)
Quiz in 1984
Eck in 1989 and 1990 (in addition to his win in 1992)

Sutter's 0.8 WAR will be tough to beat.