Mauer near-unanimous pick as American League MVP

bret, Your just a moron. How do you know how Mauer feels. Mauer has a limited time to make as much money as he can. Taking care of himself and his family must be a priority for you mid-west country type. What if he blows out his arm or busts a knee and can't catch or throw. The playing span of a ML catcher is not the same as other players. You have a lifetime of earning potential in your career, baseball players do not. Get it while you can Joe, I assure you Mauer's agent will see to that, and then that home town pollyanna boyish shteaten grin will come off your face as fast as you can say "Mauer looks good in Pinstripes"

Karl. Again the back to back batting titles and a gold glove do not make you the MVP. you said: "This is Mauer's 2nd year in a row wining the batting title not to mention the gold glove". If you want to submit BTB Batting Titles and a Gold Glove as criteria for the MVP then I will submit my own criteria for Jeter. In order to win the MVP you need to:

Win the Rookie of the Year Award, In the playoffs that year his average was .361 - 1st MVP
In 2000 he won the All Star Game MVP and World Series MVP, the first player in MLB history to do this. - 2nd MVP
Be a 10 time All Star, 4 time Gold Glove winner and a 4 time Silver Slugger Award winner. - 3rd MVP
He has also been honored with various other humanitarian awards like the Hank Aaron Award for 2009.
Year to date, he is one of six players to have 2,700 hits, 1,500 runs, 220 HR's, 300 steals ans 1,000 RBI's. That other players are Craig Biggio, Barry Bonds, Rickey Henderson, Willie Mays and Paul Molitor. - 4th MVP
He is the all time hits leader by a shortstop in the history of MLB. - 5th MVP
Jeter has a lifetime average of .317 with 2,747 hits. "when he gets 3000 hits we will give him his 6th MVP"

That would give him ummmm 6 MVPs. My point is you can use any criteria to justify the MVP. The sportswriters have their own Yankee bias just like so many others that have this inferiority complex when it comes to winning. They do not and cannot accept the Yankees success so they revert to excuses, like payroll, revenue sharing, small market vs large market, etc.... Jeter is a remarkable player and gets over looked because he plays on a team with the biggest payroll that bring in great players so they can win championships. Many people feel that Jeter is along for the ride. I assure that is not the case. Sentiment for the under dog plays a roll when voting for the MVP and that has cost him. Maybe not this year but in the past especially in 2006, when Jeter had a better year than Morneau, period. Lastly, how do you measure as you say "what Mauer did for his team"? then tell me how you measure what Mauer did for his team vs Jeter, A-Rod, Tex and others. Don't even try because you cant, Its totally subjective its your bias against mine. Stop assuming that if Jeter did not play this year they still would have won the WS, you cannot justify that scenario.

Any rational thinking baseball fan would take Jeter over Rollins on their team.

The real question is who would you rather have on your team, Mauer or Jeter. Not looking at just this year, but looking at them at this point in their career and what they can do for you in the future, who would you want on your team?

I would take Mauer based on his age and the power that he showed this year. Obviously, Jeter is a crafty motherfker, plays great d, and is the best lead off hitter in the majors. But, I'd still take Mauer, because I believe he will prove to be one of the best players (at any position) ever.

Yes, Jeter deserves all the credit he is due and has earned over the years. I don't even like the yankees but I still can respect great players and he is one of them. Didn't he selflessly offer to go back to short so Arod could have third? If so, as I'm not sure but believe I heard that was the case, then that shows what a team player he is-on top of his stats-and he is surely deserving of repect. He is year in and year out, One of the best in the game. Happy Thanksgiving!

Average_Joe

The other day you mentioned to me that because Jimmy Rollins won an MVP Award and Derek Jeter did not, that Rollins must be better than Jeter.

I responded, with an incorrect date, on one of Jeters many Awards. Not that he did not win the awards, just the wrong dates. That was my mistake. You went on to tell me how stupid I was much like your rants against Ebby during the World Series. You are always carefull not to talk about your team, just bash the Yankees and their players and fans.

I would like to set the record straight on Jeter's awards and let you respond with Jimmy Rollins' awards or career achievements that make you think Rollins is anywhere near Jeter.

First full season was 1996. Jeter homered in that game and won the Rookie of the Year Award.
In the playoffs that year his average was .361

In 2000 he won the All Star Game MVP and World Series MVP, the first player in MLB history to do this.

So far he has been a 10 time All Star, 4 time Gold Glove winner and a 4 time Silver Slugger Award winner. He has also been honored with various other humanitarian awards like the Hank Aaron Award for 2009.

In his career, year to date, he is one of six players to have 2,700 hits, 1,500 runs, 220 HR's, 300 steals ans 1,000 RBI's. That other players are Craig Biggio, Barry Bonds, Rickey Henderson, Willie Mays and Paul Molitor.

He currently is the all time hits leader by a shortstop in the history of MLB. He is also the all time hits leader by a New York Yankee in the storied history of the organization.

At 35 years old Jeter has a lifetime average of .317 with 2,747 hits.

I look forward to your response on Jimmy Rollins' stats. I know you only respond during the week when you obviously use the computer at your place of work, but that's OK. I can wait.

Hope you have a great Thanksgiving and have invited a room full of Yankee haters to be with.

You and I should post more, without the Wikipedia. I know that won't happen because you cannot do it. But if you give me the time, one on one, I will expose you for the troll you are. That's a priomise. Not the name one pitchers stuff for the Twins that you already knew or looked up. I mean real talk with quick response time. Then we will see who pushes the dumb button.

I heard that when they first counted the ballots, Barack Obama was the unanimous winner.

Then they realized that Selig had hired ACORN to do the counting.

I realize catchers do not actually pitch the pitches, throw the strikes, Mauer is good at managing the tempo of the game and helps keep the batters off balance. He may not be the best at throwing out runners but with all of his tools put together in one player, he has an impact in the outcome of a lot of game.

NY Yankees 2009 World Champions. Sucks to be you Yankee Haters

Mags- There is not one player more that deserves this award this year than Mauer. This is Mauer's 2nd year in a row wining the batting title not to mention the gold glove..... HE IS THE MVP because of what he did for the team!!

11th is pretty good??? I could have caught and they would have only dropped to 14th. Regardless, I was just making a point that the comments about how good Mauer did managing his pitching staff are not supported by any evidence, and this does not strengthen his arguement for MVP. Personally, I don't think a catcher has much to do with his pitchers' performances anyway. Schilling, Big Unit, Pedro, Maddux, Clemens all managed to be effective regardless of their catcher/team over the years.

416. Posted by jmiles10 Wed Nov 25 3:01pm EST Report Abuse
Also, you mentioned how Mauer did such a great job managing his pitching staff. I don't know if I would consider it a good job when the pitching staff was ranked 11th in the AL.

Without looking, name one starting pitcher for the Twins.

11th is pretty good when the only pitcher on the staff you can name is the closer.

Actually, I think too much credit is being given to Mauer for being a defensive catcher.

By looking at the statistics, it appears to me that Joe Mauer is a below average defensive catcher. Mauer was ranked 8th in the AL in Caught Stealing Pctg.; 12th in Passed Balls; 13th in Assists; 9th in putouts -- he ranked behind Jorge Posada (considered a defensive liability) in all of these defensive categories.

Also, you mentioned how Mauer did such a great job managing his pitching staff. I don't know if I would consider it a good job when the pitching staff was ranked 11th in the AL.

Don't get me wrong, I realize you can't tell everything by looking at the statistics. But, I have only seen Joe Mauer play a handful of games, so statistics are really all I have to go by.

Before the grammar police hit my message, I realized I spelled know (no) used an is when I should of used are and used the wrong (to).

Everyone is talking about Mauer's offensive stats, which are very impressive. But what about how he he manages a game and that young pitching staff, which many consider to be full of no-namers; that is another element that many people on the board have either overlooked or do not no about. Most people, who do not follow the Twins, do not understand that dimension Mauer brings. Jeter is just as valuable to his team, especilly on the defensive side.. If Mauer did not get it, I think Jeter should have gotten it. The defensive plays Jeter made in the ALDS and ALCS was a display of the everyday Jeter. Jeter probably would of had a better chance if there was not another Yankee there to split the votes. Tex had a big year but the leadership, presence and most importantly, the positions Mauer and Jeter play, factor into the equation as well. If Morneau does not go down, there would of been two Twins taking votes from each other, just as the case between Jeter and Tex. Plus, Tex plays a position where he is supposed too and is expected to put up the numbers he did. The average 1st baseman is expected to put up at least 30+ homeruns, 100+ RBI's and around a .300 average and a decent glove. From a SS or catcher, half those numbers is considered a decent season. That goes to show how impressive Mauer and Jeter's numbers have been.

Bret, I hope all these are just as part of a friendly discussion. No disrespectful to anyone. true Yankee fans appreciate their team winning as much as others.

However, baseball is not a game anymore but a business. Players are represented by lawyers (teams of lawyers) and owners are also represented by teams of lawyer. It is more like a business deal than an negotiation.

Bret, you actually believe there are still players out there willing to play for mininum for their love of the game ? wow..I am shocked. Don't mean to be disrespectful, but do you want to buy the brooklyn bridge for $100 ? I will sell it to you. If that person (impossible to use personS) actually do exist, the player union will not allow that to happen. You said SOME players would do that. Don't have to mention all..just one, just one name to back up your claim.

I honestly think Mauer will remain at MN because the three sons of Carl Polhad would be killed in MN if they let him sign with NY or Boston or Anaheim. A riot will be happening on the streets of St. Paul on the day Mauer signs with different team. He is an amazing player and deserves to be the MVP but what evident do you have to claim that he would rather play for mininum to remain as a Twin. You must know Mauer personally to read his and his agent's mind.

Once again, why people are discussing his whereabout in 2011 when today is still 2009 ?

For all the Yankee fans out there, let Mauer be the MVP....any harm done ? Apparently not !! the WS rings have already been sent to NY. I don't care if the Phillies Mascot win the MVP or the Cubs ball girl win the Cy Young award. It just doesn't matter.

Mags,
There is more to life than money. Joe Mauer knows that. As far as that buisness question you asked me...that is exactly why I am not a buisness man so I don't have to make decisions like that.
Money is not the key to happiness regardless what you think. But of course someone like you would not understand that.

Sai...You don't come off as arrogant.

average_joe.. you are funny. Not all Yankee fans are self centered. I hope I don't come across as arrogant but simply pointing out the obvious anti-Yankees sentiment. It is part of being a Yankee fan...you have to take the abuses when they screw up and also abuses when they win.

However, you are funny about A-Rod. With the steroid taking, are you sure he still has two observable testicles. Manny needs medication to get his family jewels back....Even if A-rod has two, it might only be counted as one LOL

378. Posted by Sai Tue Nov 24 7:19pm EST Report Abuse

For all those Jeter/Yankees haters, you would give up your left tesicle to be jeter in real life for 1 day. The money, the attention, the women or men, the coverage....plain jealousy and sour grape whom ever for hating Jeter.

I have to agree with you Sai. But if I had to listen to self-centered, elitist snob Yankee fan for 1 day, I would ask for two left testicles back.

And then I could have a "who has more testicles" contest with A-Rod.

I would win by three.

Lol Mags you are pretty funny thinking Joe Mauer has that little of class to sign with the @#$% yankees, keep dreaming buddy it will never happen :)

Mags, I find it very ironic that you tell others to pick up a dictionary, yet you use the pronoun "their" multiple times instead of the adverb "there". That's as basic as the English language gets. So which one are you, the idiot black kettle or the moron pot?

bret, Get out from underneath your rock you neanderthal. Let me ask you a question, if one of your companies competitors came to you and said they would triple your salary for the next 8 years guaranteed, but you had to move to NY would you go? Enough said. Of course you would moron. The only reason Mauer would not come to NY is if THE YANKEES DID NOT WANT HIM! That means they do not want to pay the money. I'm not even going to discuss your comments on Mariano because it would be like arguing with an unarmed man. Its obvious you are a football fan and know absolutely nothing about baseball. Stop with all the small town hick crap you keep dishing out. Your owner is a chump and the fans are lame. If the money is their Mauer goes, if its a championship he desires, you will be watching him ride down the hall of champions in 2011.

Morons, You are all Morons that cannot read and lack basic comprehension. Their is not one post that I have read that said Mauer or Morneau did not DESERVE their MVP awards. We are simply (not simple enough obviously) pointing out that the voting process is flawed and subject to the whims and biases of the sports writers. In addition, a case (a very strong case) can be made for a number of other players based on some of the stupid and ridiculous criteria several neanderthals on this blog have use to defend Mauer and Morneau achievements. Take a few moments, grab a dictionary and thesaurus and read some of the comments from those who defend Morneau and Mauers selection. Maybe (thats a big maybe) you will understand how really stupid the state of MN. is. Their is constant contradiction of thought which supports my conclusion which is, you will construct and manipulate the criteria for MVP voting as long as it leads to Mauer and Morneau. This is not about Jeter, its a reflection of the the anti yankee sentiment that permeates the hearts and minds of so many fans (and sportswriters) that never experience the joy of winning. So you (and sportswriters) attach yourself to the one shinning light in your life (mauer and morneau) and you begin to believe you are equal to everyone else in the world, well your not. This false sense of achievement only blinds your judgement and gives you temporary satisfaction. In other words, you (and sportswriters) have a major inferiority complex and will desperately hang on to anything that gives you the power to fit in - Well you don't. If winning is the criteria you want to use for selecting an MVP than Mariano Rivera should win every year. Get It! We know Mauer and Morneau are great, but stop trying to justify their MVP awards with moronic comments about leading their team to the playoffs or yankees have a team full of great players so they cannot have an MVP or the yankees would still win with out Jeter, A-Rod, or Tex etc.... Those are NOT THE CRITERIA. Several of you said: stats matter, then they don't, then their only a part of the criteria, then its winning, no, its leading your team to victory blah blah blah. Can anyone tell me what the criteria is for selecting the MVP? You folks try to justify their MVP award by giving credibility to your own flawed criteria as a way to deal with your teams pathetic existence. Sports writers do the same, they vote for the MVP using their own INDIVIDUAL criteria then use all their god given biases and prejudices to justify their selection, period. Look at the moron that voted for Cabrera - I rest my case.

Oh Mags I forgot one other thing. Your last post lacked any real criteria. I especially laughed hard when you said "Tell me their is someone in MLB more valuable to their team than Rivera?" Do you proofread what you write? If not I suggest you start.
Closers are a dime a dozen. How many saves did Riveria have this year? With a team that won 103 games he only saved 44. That means they did not rely on him much because they were usally dominating everygame.
Of course we should let you decide who is MVP along with all the other Yankees fans. You know more than professional writers. Money has clouted your judgment. You are a typical NY arrogant fool. Some of us still have hometown pride. I can honestly say if I were Mauer and I were offered triple the salary to play for a team that uses dollars to win, I would say no. How much money does one man need to play a game he loves? If I had Mauer's talent I would play for the league minimum. Some athletes still feel that way.
One more thing, you all say that money is not the reason your team is successful? What a load of crap. Look at the NFL that has a salary cap. The Vikes, playing in the metrodome just like the Twins are losing money like crazy but still are the best team in the NFL. They have no advantage over any other team because they all follow the same rules. I would go into salary caps more in depth but since your posts sound like your an uneducated NY boy from the hood why waste my time explaining it to you.
Like I said...Mauer will be signed soon by the Twins. Mauer has too much class to play for the arrogant Yankees.