FAVOURITE MOMENT OF THE SEASON
BEN FONG
May 19, 2008, Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester threw a no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals. While a no-hitter is impressive for any pitcher, Lester’s career has been defined by more than his work on the mound. In August 2006, Lester was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s cell lymphoma, a rare but treatable form of blood cancer. During the off-season, Lester underwent six rounds of chemotherapy, which eventually sent his cancer into remission.
Despite his weakened condition and significant weight loss, Lester worked his way back through the minor leagues and back to the Red Sox, winning the decisive game of Boston’s 2007 World Series championship. This past season, he established himself as one of the best left-handed starters in the American League.
While Lester’s no-hitter underscores his status as an elite pitcher, his most remarkable accomplishment has nothing to do with baseball.
BEHNAM NOWROUZI-KIA:
The Tampa Bay Rays’ low payroll carrying them to the World Series. Considering that they were in arguably the hardest division in baseball, their success is astonishing. I was blown away when they beat Boston in Game 7, showing a great deal of maturity.
BRIAN O’NEILL
The closure of Yankee Stadium. Like them or not, the Yankee franchise did a class act job of putting an end to “The House that Ruth Built.” Every night at the park was a celebration, showcasing a franchise aware of its past and thankful to the fans on New York. To be alive for that closure was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
CHARLES TRAPUNSKI
Only one thing could top sitting in the stands of Fenway Park on a gorgeous Friday night in August: seeing number twenty-four out in left field. Manny Ramirez was traded out of town, and a new Red Sox team emerged from the dugout. Baseball is a true team sport, but the Red Sox carried themselves differently after one player— Ramirez—was gone. This change was evident in the exuberance of Mark Kotsay, who ran up to John Henry during his first game at Fenway and hugged the owner. It was evident in the sheer number of Jacoby Ellsbury jerseys sported by fans young and old, considering that Ellsbury is still not a full-time player. Manny’s absence affected the make-up of the Red Sox batting order, as his replacement at clean up was one of his biggest rivals, the “Anti-Manny” Kevin Youkilis. Perhaps the greatest evidence of the effect of Manny’s departure was the play of Dustin Pedoria. He reached base every time that night, hit singles and doubles, stole a base, and played seemingly effortless defense, ultimately earning the MVP trophy. The atmosphere around Fenway Park was one of “Manny Who?” but Ramirez permeated the stadium more than ever, simply through his absence.
WORST STORY OF THE SEASON
BF:
Will Barry Bonds play for the major league minimum? Are team owners colluding against Barry Bonds? Will the injury to [insert random player] cause [insert random team] to pursue Barry Bonds? Will Barry Bonds play in Japan?
It’s safe to say sports writers and bloggers have never devoted so many words to a player who did not log a single inning all year long.
CT
While the undoing of the modern Yankee legacy and the rebirth of recovering addict Josh Hamilton dominated the first half of the season, the second half belonged to the incredible performances of traded players about to become free agents. Manny Ramirez hit .396 and remarkably finished fourth in NL MVP voting. CC Sabathia had a 1.65 ERA and finished sixth. Mark Teixeira slugged .632, more than .200 above the league average. These unbelievable accomplishments highlight two disturbing trends. First, these players will cash in, but will never come close to reaching the same numbers again. Second, each acquisition underscored how desperate each team was to pick them up, because of their own habit of horribly overpaying free agents. The Dodgers wouldn’t have needed Manny, if not for a fat and injured Andruw Jones. The story is the same for the Angels, who gave Gary Matthews Jr. a 50 million dollar contract after one good season. The Brewers were perhaps the worst offenders, as they decided that to make Eric Gagné their closer. These teams will be unable to overpay for Manny, CC, and Tex because they will be stuck with horrible contracts for lousy players.
WHO SURPRISED YOU THE MOST THIS YEAR?
BF: The Tampa Bay Rays.
Anyone who claims they predicted an AL Pennant for the Rays is a liar.
WHO SHOULD BE THE MVP?
BF: AL MVP, Dustin Pedroia, 2B Boston Red Sox
Sure, Josh Hamilton, Grady Sizemore, and even teammate Kevin Youkilis had better numbers, but an MVP award is about more than stats. In addition to providing the pitching staff with Gold Glove defense at second, Pedroia helped pace a potent Red Sox lineup all year, causing havoc at the top of the order or filling in for a fl aky Manny Ramirez, and driving in runs from the cleanup spot. Pedroia’s confidence and energy also helped him emerge as a leader in the clubhouse. NL MVP, Albert Pujols, 1B St. Louis Cardinals Despite the Cardinals fourth place finish in the NL Central, no other MVP candidate was as integral to his team’s success as Pujols. You could make the case for the Mets’ David Wright, the Phillies’ Ryan Howard and Chase Utley, and the Cubs’ Aramis Ramirez. Still, Pujols led the league in both OPS and slugging percentage, despite hitting in a much weaker lineup. When you consider Pujols dealt with pain in his elbow throughout the entire season, the choice for NL MVP is obvious.
WHO SHOULD HAVE WON THE CY YOUNG AWARD?
BO: NL Cy Young Award, CC Sabathia, Milwaukee Brewers
While Sabathia didn’t play a full season in the NL after being traded from Cleveland, he dominated hitters going 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA. He single-handedly helped the Brewers snap a 26-year playoff drought, which says a lot more than Tim Lincecum’s Giants.
HOPES FOR NEXT SEASON
BF
The absence of any Barry Bonds-related headlines unless they include the words “gracefully retires.”
BO:
I hope that J.P Ricciardi drops that bloody moneyball idea he’s desperately copying off buddy Billy Beane. The Jays should get trucks full of whatever money they have and dump it on Manny Ramirez’s lawn, giving him an offer he can’t refuse. Ramirez can hit, will hit for a long time, and will create more than a two-week buzz that lingers around our city every April.
