Justin Verlander won the MVP award today, adding to his CYA this year.
The last pitcher to win an MVP was reliever Dennis Eckersley in 1992. The last starter? Roger Clemens in 1986.
In the NL, the last pitcher to win an MVP was Bob Gibson in 1968.
One ironic thing is this: since 2B Charlie Gehringer won the MVP in 1937 (an award I think Joe D. should have won that year), every Tiger that has won the award since has been a pitcher.
1944-1945 (WWII years) Hal Newhouser 29 and 26 wins.
1968 Denny McLain, 31 wins.
1984 Willie Hernandez
2011 Justin Verlander 24 wins.
As far as Yankees are concerned, it’s interesting that big $$$$ personnel like Jeter, CC and Alex got nothing.
Instead:
Granderson finished fourth. Cano sixth (how could four writers leave Cano out of the top 10 on their ballot?)
Mark Teixeira finished 19th despite the .248 B.A. (39 HR, 111 RBI).
No Mo.
But David Robertson got a 10th place vote, putting him 22nd in the voting.
In other news: Joe Nathan signed with Texas as a free agent. I don’t know where Texas would put him (Feliz) but it makes their BP that much stronger.
Update: Judging from Twitter, (SI’s Heyman, ESPN’s Olney) Feliz is to be moved into the rotation. Well, that’s one way to counter the loss of Wilson (also to counter the collapse of Feliz in WS Game 6).
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