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Friday, December 16, 2011

Japan Times: Asao, Uchikawa win league MVP awards

This news is actually a couple of weeks old, but I’m posting it mainly because I thought people might be interested to know that a set-up man, Chunichi Dragons reliever Takuya Asao, won the MVP Award in Japan’s Central League. After the controversy about Verlander’s MVP win, and some writers questioning whether pitchers should be eligible for the MVP at all, it’s interesting to look overseas and see not a starting pitcher, not a closer, but a set-up man walk away with the hardware…

“I can’t believe it,” Asao said at a news conference.

...

Asao played a vital role out of the bullpen for the pennant-winning Dragons, making 79 appearances and recording 45 holds. He finished the season with 10 saves, 100 strikeouts, a 0.41 ERA and didn’t allow a single home run in 87? innings on the mound.

“I was determined to do my best the entire year,” Asao said. “I didn’t believe I would ever be named MVP. I’m really surprised.”

vortex of dissipation Posted: December 16, 2011 at 06:15 PM | 5 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
  Tags: awards, international, japan

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   1. Walt Davis Posted: December 17, 2011 at 12:55 AM (#4018197)
Well, I suppose if you only allow 4 runs all year ... :-)
   2. Sweatpants Posted: December 17, 2011 at 01:04 AM (#4018199)
"I thought it was going to be Yoshimi," Asao said. "I think it should've been Yoshimi. He came close to winning 20 games. I told him gomennasai (I'm sorry)."
"I couldn't play the whole season," Uchikawa said. "That helped me maintain a high average."
Real braggadocious players they have over there.
   3. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: December 17, 2011 at 02:00 AM (#4018215)
Mariano Rivera shoulda won the 1996 Cy Young as a set-up man.
   4. PreservedFish Posted: December 17, 2011 at 02:36 AM (#4018223)
I'm more curious about the 96 NL Cy Young. Who is the stathead candidate?

Brown:

233 IP, 1.89 ERA, 159 Ks, 217 ERA+, 7.5 WAR

Smoltz:

253 IP, 2.94 ERA, 276 Ks, 149 ERA+, 6.1 WAR
   5. Bourbon Samurai stays in the fight Posted: December 17, 2011 at 03:03 PM (#4018368)
If somebody puts up an 0.41 era in 87 innings, I am totally cool with him being MVP.

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