Timing is Everything
Jimmy Rollins won the National League MVP award. Fair play to him. One Problem.
It’s November 20th!
Michigan has already played Ohio State. People’s thoughts are wrapped up with turkey, football, and family. No one cares about this!
What compelling reason could baseball have for announcing their regular season MVP and Cy Young awards 50 days after the end of the regular season and 23 days after the Red Sox won the World Series?
Baseball maintains that the post-season is not taken into account in the determination of the award. The votes are taken immediately after the regular season ends. What is the point of sealing them and then releasing them almost two months later?
The post-season doesn’t count for the awards, but it certainly colors everyone’s mindset. No one would argue with C.C. Sabathia’s numbers in the regular season giving him the nod for the Cy Young. But, Josh Beckett and the Red Sox’ lineup making him look silly in the ALCS cheapens it a bit.
Similarly, Jimmy Rollins had a fabulous season and there isn’t much to complain about with him winning the NL MVP. But, it looks rather ridiculous after the Phillies were unceremoniously swept out of the playoffs and Matt Holliday led the Rockies to the World Series.
What are more people talking about? Alex Rodriguez winning the MVP? Or, Alex Rodriguez’ contract dealings?
The awards are undeniably overshadowed by what happens in the post-season. They are overshadowed by football and everything else going on during the holiday season. They are even overshadowed by baseball’s own hot stove.
The simple solution is just to announce the awards right after the votes are in. There is a two day period between the end of the regular season and the beginning of the playoffs. Everyone during that period is excited and talking baseball. It wouldn’t overshadow the playoffs because it’s not that important and also because most often the players discussed are on playoff teams. It would be the time where the awards would get the most attention and they would be the most relevant.
It just plain makes sense, which is why Bud Selig will never do it.
