TOWER GROVE — One of the most intriguing and up-for-grabs awards this side of the National League MVP award is the league’s Cy Young award. It could be viewed as a referendum on what voters value.
Want change? Well, you might get a sea change from those standard triple-crown stats that have been such handy guides to a Cy Young-worthy pitcher. Wins just won’t do it this year.
Even ERA (gasp!) might not reveal the most worthy pitcher.
The first day of the BBWAA awards was Monday, and Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria swept the American League vote, receiving all 28 first-place ballots, and Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto taking 31 of the 32 first-place votes in his league. (Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto got the other first-place vote.)
Cy Young contender Brad Lidge, the Phillies closer, celebrates a title at the end of his perfect season.
I had a NL Cy Young award vote this season, so the rules limit me from revealing my vote or anything about it until Tuesday’s announcement. That said, it is a remarkable slate of candidates, and your selection says a lot about how you define “best”, as in the league’s best pitcher.
There’s Brandon Webb, who edged St. Louis Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter a couple years ago for the Cy Young, led the league with 22 wins. There’s Johan Santana, who finished strong to take the league ERA title at the wire while also leading the league with 234 1/3 innings. Want a dash of MVP with your Cy Young, well, there’s the obvious half-season sensation CC Sabathia, who had three shutouts and went 11-2 after a trade to Milwaukee. Or there’s Ryan Dempster, who helped the Cubs to a division title with his funky hand twitch and switch from closer to 17-6 starter.
Prefer power? Slender ace Tim Lincecum led the majors with 265 strikeouts.
Prefer well-rounded? October star Cole Hamels had 10 no decisions cut into his 14-10 record of the spotlight stats, but he ranked in the top five of nine pitching categories.
Prefer dominance? Cannot ignore Brad Lidge’s 41-for-41 ownership of the ninth inning.
These are the statistics and descriptions that I considered as I wrestled with and researched by vote this season. I’m eager to see how it fit with the other 31 voters in the league. And, sure, I’ll share, but only after you’ve had your say below and the official vote is revealed Tuesday afternoon.
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