From: fester@island.COM (Mike Fester)
Subject: Re: Who'll win the NL MVP?
Organization: /usr/local/rn/organization
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 16:43:08 GMT

In article <1992Aug26.204141.10930@news2.cis.umn.edu> kirsch@epx.cis.umn.edu (Dave Kirsch) writes:
>In article <1992Aug24.172947.1@violet.ccit.arizona.edu> f67700241@violet.ccit.arizona.edu (Greg Franklin 'Carrying Stat-Drunk Computer Nerd (FCSDCN)') writes:
>>OK, enough with the Great Cito Flame War.  Let's get down to a more
>>interesting subject: Who will be the National League MVP?
>>
>>As I see it, there are only 3 serious contenders the voters will
>>consider.   I rank in them in order of likelihood to win:

>  I beg to differ, but you'll probably wind up being right if the mediots
>keep gushing over Terry Pendleton and ignoring Daulton/Bonds. 

>>1) Gary Sheffield.  Has come out of nowhere to have a near triple-crown
>>season.  Don't know if his defense is up to Pendletonian standards, but
>>his great batting eye has certainly made up for any defensive lapses.  Has
>>shown an improved attitude.

>  Great year. Still not sure if he'll keep this up next year, but he's a
>heckuva player when he's right (I want to see how he responds to tough times
>in San Diego). 

Has turned it up a bit the past couple months. Still, he publically admits
he made bad plays; could you REALLY call someone an MVP if they admit they
tried to hurt their team?

>>2) Fred McGriff.  Is having the best season of his career....and the
>>seasons he had before weren't too shabby.  Everyone says he is on a HOF
>>path, and an MVP this season would give him a leg up on his quest.

>  Geez, this is getting to be too easy. Talk about being reliable; every
>year, just pencil the Crime Dog in for a .400 OBP, somewhere above a .500 SLG
>(~.560+ so far) with ~35 dingers. He's so damned consistent and so damned
>good. Did anyone see what he did the other night? Hits the ball by accident 
>on a check swing, and it goes for a one-bouncer off the wall in LF! On a
>check swing!!! 

He seems to be fading a bit. Anyone know why? Injuries?

>>3) Terry Pendleton.  A lot of people (including me) thought he'd fade
>>back to reality in 1992, but it turns out he's exceeding his HR and RBI
>>totals of a year ago.  The Braves are winning even more now
>>than they were in 1991, and being the only good power hitter in the
>>offense, he's sure to receive the bulk of the credit (along with the
>>starting pitching) for Atlanta's domination.  He's an outstanding
>>defender.

>  Feh. Blech. Lundy. If you're gonna talk about third basemen, Pendleton
>would have to consider himself lucky to hold Sheffield's jock (would make a 
>great shot for Sportscenter, doncha think?) He's giving away almost 200
>points of OPS (~60 points OBP, ~130 points SLG) and plays in an offensive
>paradise. He'd have to have Kelly Gruber and Robin Ventura flanking him to be
>*close* to making that up defensively. 

Apart from *why* anyone would want to hold anyone elses jock strap, what really
is wrong with Pendleton? Yes, he plays in an "offensive park", but he's the
only offensive player on the team who a) is having a good year and b) has
been available all year. As for defense, he's is certainly better than 
Sheffield, and he plays in the 2nd nastiest park in the majors for fielders
(behind Wrigley), with much better results. And of course, NO ONE has ever 
heard him say he deliberately made bad plays. (Am I the only one bothered
by that?)

>>Daulton plays for too sad a team to get much consideration.  

>  So? Holy mother of God, without him the Phillies would be utterly atrocious.

News flash; the Phillies ARE atrocious.

>(Hollins and Kruk have helped too.) He's a catcher with a ~.930 OPS, roughly
>the equivalent of what Cal Ripken was to SS in the AL last year. Let's see, 
>lots of power (22 HR in ~370 AB, ~.540 SLG), plenty of walks (close to 70)
>and a good BA (~.290) and OBP (~.390). What else is there? 

Winning? BEst hitter and MVP are different.

>>Bonds is
>>not at the top of the stat boards anymore, besides, he won an MVP already.

>  Yep, a 1.000 OPS is irrelevant if you've already got the goods in your
>trophy case. IMHO, Bonds should have won the MVP last year and the race
>should be between him and Daulton this year, maybe including Sheffield if he 
>keeps this up. The guy has put together three utterly amazing years; I hope 
>he breaks the bank wherever he goes. He's certainly worth it. Hits like
>McGriff, plays gold glove defense and uses his speed wisely to boot. What's 
>not to like?  

Nothing. Missed a few games, perhaps
 
>>Anyone else I missed?
>
>  Probably, but those are the obvious ones. 

How about Van Slyke? Great year, great defender, tough position, and he hasn't
missed nearly as many games as Bonds.

Mike
-- 
Disclaimer - I'm only doing what the little voices tell me to do. 
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