Previous Story
Em Vee Pee
|
Posted on Nov 22 2008
The most valuable player award is by definition argumentative and contentious. Who can argue with that?
Was Albert Pujols really more valuable this year than Ryan Howard? If he was, then why did the Phillies make the playoffs and the Cardinals did not? What good is it to finish in second place when the whole point of the game is to win?
Was Dustin Pedroia (bless his little heart) really more valuable than Kevin Youkilis? You can use statistics to “prove” that Youkilis was actually better. And you can use statistics to “prove” that Pedroia was better. I’m not going to waste my time doing either. But I could.
There are no statistical requirements for the MVP honor, no formulas, no benchmarks, and no computer machinations like they use to finagle the BCS college football ratings into a joke on us.
When Kirk Gibson won the MVP for the Dodgers in 1988 with a pedestrian 76 runs batted in, I didn’t complain. I took it like a man.
Wait. I just realized Barry Bonds won four consecutive MVPs from 2001-2004. That ain’t fair. Unless the award is for most violating performer.
There is something magical about the tag “MVP” before or after someone’s name (especially if it was yours). And once bestowed, it won’t ever go away like cash money does.
Well, yes, MLB could yank Bonds’ trophies, in theory anyway, but he should keep the three before that (1990, 92-93).
Three-time MVP (two seasons and The Bowl) Kurt Warner is playing like an MVP this season in what is yet another ascension from the ashes. Remember—this is the guy who went straight from working in an Iowa grocery store to the NFL. Who else has done that?
After just one season with the Giants in 2004 sharing the job with rookie Eli Manning, New Yawk junked Warner in favor of the young pedigree. That move proved positive 10 months ago when Peyton’s kid brother won Super Bowl XLII MVP.
Tomorrow it’s Kurt vs. Eli. MVP vs. MVP.
Sunday Showdown of Pigskin Propellers.
Young gunslinger going up against grizzled vet.
Duel in the Desert
One of them is a sure loser.
Now that’s something that can’t be argued.
Oh wait. That’s not true. There could be a tie.
Ask Donovan McNabb. He knows about a tie game … now.
****
[I]Coldeen is a longtime journalist in the CNMI and is currently the news director of KSPN2[/I]
