The playoff seedings have been divied out, but the MVP awards haven't. In the American League, David Ortiz (.300, 47 HR, 147 RBI) takes on Alex Rodriguez (.321, 48 HR, 130 RBI). In the National League, Andruw Jones (.263, 51 HR, 128 RBI) takes on Albert Pujols (.330, 41 HR, 117 RBI). No injustice will be committed if any of these players receive the MVP award, but I give much love to the glove and name ARod and Andruw Jones my MVPs. Who gets your vote for AL and NL MVP?

My vote goes to Derek Lowe in the national league and Raffy Palmiero in the American. Eric Wedge as manager of the year. Just kidding. Big Pappi and Pujols.

As much as I like David Ortiz and know that if it wasn't for him, the Sox would be x number of games back and out of contention in the American League, the same could also be said for the Yankees withhout ARod. I would argue that ARod is the true MVP as he is very strong member of the defense as well.

Pujols has meant more to St. Louis success this season than probably any other player in baseball. So, he gets the NL nod.

I agree with your choices Dan. I find it a bit off-putting that Ortiz himself even campaigned for the award a bit with that whole "didn't know we gave mvps to a guy b/c he has a gold glove" comment. I understand his teammates campaigning for him and clearly a good argument can be made for him, but Papi should be hesitant to disparage playing the field. If we aren't going to discount Ortiz's chances b/c he is a DH, then we shouldn't for that reason discount ARod b/c he plays a mean 3rd base (not his original position either it should be recalled).

Finally, Ortiz actually hurts Boston on the field even as a DH . . . you can't tell me that Boston would let Manny play LF if they could DH him. So given their numbers are comparable and Ortiz forces Manny to play the field, the edge goes to A-Rod.

I like Andruw in the NL but there is no chance, imo, that he will get the award. The voters screwed Pujols for 3 years now b/c of that dope-fiend Bonds. Now that Bonds is not a candidate, and the steroids issue has blown up, they are going to give it to Pujols as a career award. Of course, Pujols COULD legitimately get the MVP this year, but I think he will get it b/c of writer's remorse.

Brian your wrong pal! Boston would never let Manny DH fulltime because the man is a total space shot and his attention span is tiny. You think he would be into the game at all if he was sitting on the bench for 90% of it? Come on, he would be sleeping half the time or in the clubhouse playing dominoes with the clubhouse attendants. Ortiz also was fairly solid at first during interleague play, a step up from Millar, thats for sure!

Except that Manny can't play the field for junk. They would at least platoon him in the outfield but don't even have that option b/c Ortiz has the pine position sealed up.

Btw, this debate over AL MVP once again shows how ludicrous the DH "position" is. We shouldn't be having the debate as baseball should be played by 2 teams w/ nine players each on the field and in the lineup.

Even Ortiz would have caught that Giambi blast and we might have been talking about the Sox as division winners instead of wild card winners. Not that it matters much as it turns out.

And, Olerud would hurt us how? Had a great Sepetember behind the plate.

Speaking of Giambi, does this guy look more like a pro wrestler with roid' rage these days than a baseball player?

Scary.

In support of a "hey, pitching may be important" theme:

My beloved Rangers led the AL in HR's (what else is new) and were 3rd in runs scored. Oh yeah, and their second baseman won the AL batting title, and their third baseman came in second (tied with Manny) in RBI's.

Add it all up and Texas finished 4 under and 6 back.

Make that 16 back.

manny may not be the most gracefull outfielder but he is no worse than many left fielders in the league, his quick release was a big reason why he lead all outfielders in assists. Don't get me wrong I think he is about average or even a bit below, but he wasn't a liability out there!

plus manny actually enjoys playing the outfield