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With a few games left before the All-Star break, let’s hand out some awards for the first half of a surprising baseball season. I figured I’d get this out in the open before 42 different writers for ESPN, CBS, FOX & Yahoo write on the same subject during the break. So with 3 games to go this weekend and then the Yankee Wet Dream of an All-Star Game, here are the 1st annual Just Before the Break Awards, or the JBBs.

AL JBB MVP: Josh Hamilton, Rangers (.309, 21 HR, 91 RBI)
In case you missed it, Hamilton had an epic at-bat last Wednesday night. He was 0-4 for the night, there were 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th, the tying run is on 2nd and he’s facing the indomitable K-Rod, one of the game’s absolute best closers. Hamilton smoked a 3-1 pitch into the seats (cue cliché) "to add another amazing chapter to his incredible comeback story." When they make a movie about his life years from now, this at-bat will not only be in it, it will be one of the most memorable scenes, like when Daniel-San kicked Johnny in the face. And that at-bat summarizes his season – he’s making the best of his opportunities. The Rangers probably won’t make the playoffs, but no matter; when a guy is putting up numbers like these, there is just no way to not call him the first half MVP (call it the A-Rod Principle).
Honorable mentions: Justin Morneau (.324, 14 HR, 68 RBI) & Carlos Quentin (.270, 21 HR, 65 RBI) - Surprisingly, there are not many AL standouts just before the break.

AL JBB Least Valuable Player: Pick a Mariner, any one. Just not Felix.
Actually, if I had to pick one, I wouldn't. Because it would be an unprecedented seven-way tie between Richie Sexson (although technically he’s not a Mariner anymore), Jose Vidro, Kenji Johjima, Carlos Silva, Miguel Batista, Jared Washburn and Erik Bedard (mostly for his piss-poor attitude). Congrats guys. Thanks for making me look like a dick and picking you to compete with the Angels for the division. You are all giant douches.
Dishonorable mentions: Gary Matthews Jr., Julio Lugo, Robinson Cano, Ryan Garko, Travis Hafner & Edgar Renteria

AL JBB Cy Young: Justin Duchscherer, A’s (10-5, 1.78 ERA, 0.86 WHIP)
Fuckin’ Billy Beane. He just thinks, “Hey, let’s make Duchscherer a starter this year,” and look at the results. This guy was once traded for Doug Mirabelli! What’s even more impressive is that he’s been getting better as the season has progressed, posting lower monthly ERAs each month. It is truly a remarkable season quietly being spun by “the Duke of Hurl.”
Honorable mentions: Francisco Rodriguez (36 saves, on pace for 63), Cliff Lee (11-2, 2.43 ERA) & Roy Halladay (10-6, 2.88 ERA)

AL JBB Rookie of the Year: Evan Longoria, Rays
This is the easiest pick. While early in the season it looked as if Ellsbury was going to, pardon the pun, run away with this award, Longoria has been the man in Tampa since his call-up to the big league club – in fact, I don’t know what the hell the Rays were thinking keeping him down on the farm and starting Aybar and Hinske at 3rd base. I’m mostly impressed that he has totally lived up to the hype and exceeded it; the only thing in 2008 that might exceed such excessive hype more than Longoria is “The Dark Knight.”
Honorable mentions: Jacoby Ellsbury, David Murphy, Alexei Ramirez, Greg Smith & Nick Blackburn

AL JBB Manager of the year: Mike Scioscia, Angels
With the amount of injuries that the Angels have sustained and the amount of old men they have running around the outfield, it is unbelievable that they cruising along as well as they are. Dinosaur Anderson has been batting in the heart of the order. Guerrero’s numbers are down a bit and he’s the oldest 32 year old in the league (his knees are easily 68 years old). Hunter is showing that he is not worth $16.5M annually and Matthews Jr. has shown that he is really not worth $9.4M annually. This team lost one of their best starters (Escobar). And even their run differential (+24) is very low, yet the Angels have the 2nd best record in the majors (tied with the Cubs, who, for comparison, have a +105 run differential) because they’ve played great when they’ve needed to. That can be attributed to a good manager.
Honorable mentions: Ozzie Guillen, Ron Gardenhire, Bob Green & Joe Madden (who I still think is overrated and he lucked into a talented bunch of youngsters coming together at the right time)

NL JBB MVP: Albert Pujols, Cardinals (.348, 18 HR, 49 RBI, 1.079 OPS)
Look at the list of honorable mentions – there’s a ton of guys in the NL have monster years! But Pujols has quietly been putting up a hell of as season with an injured elbow while keeping the Cardinals in the race (1/2 game out of the wild card). Berkman has the numbers but he’s got Lee hitting behind him and the Astros are in last place. The Padres are also doing awful so that hurts Gonzalez’s case. The Phillies guys and the two Marlins have each other to lean on. The Braves have faded lately as has Chipper. And with all these guys having phenomenal seasons, you have to go to the guy that seems to be doing the most for his team and is, without a doubt, the one guy in the NL that an opposing pitcher least wants to see in the batter’s box with the game on the line. If you don’t believe me, ask Brad Lidge.
VERY Honorable mentions: Lance Berkman (.348, 22 HR, 70 RBI, 1.107 OPS), Chipper Jones (.375, 18 HR, 50 RBI), Chase Utley (.294, 25 HR, 69 RBI, 0.970 OPS), Hanley Ramirez (.312, 23 HR, 45 RBI, 22 SB), Dan Uggla (.286, 23 HR, 58 RBI, 0.989 OPS), Pat Burrell (.279, 22 HR, 54 RBI, 0.993 OPS), Ryan Howard (.234, 27 HR, 83 RBI), Carlos Lee (.293, 21 HR, 72 RBI) & Adrian Gonzalez (.279, 22 HR, 70 RBI)

NL JBB Least Valuable Player: Michael Bourn, Astros
Michael Bourn is fast, probably one of the fastest guys in all of baseball. But there’s a problem – baseball isn’t track and field. In fact, other than running fast, I’m not sure Bourn brings anything else to the table. What good does a fast guy do for you if he’s only getting on base 27.6% of the time?!? His OPS is 0.571! That is so terrifically awful I don’t know where to begin. He should take a month off and go to China, maybe he can succeed at something there.
Dishonorable mentions: Freddy Sanchez, Khalil Greene, Felipe Lopez, Jeff Francoeur, Jeff Kent, Bill Hall, Rickie Weeks & Jason Kendall

NL JBB Cy Young: Dan Haren, Diamondbacks (8-5, 2.72 ERA, 0.95 WHIP)
It’s not his fault that his team doesn’t give him any run support. 84% of his starts are “quality starts” – in fact, outside of a tough May, he’s been downright filthy; he’s allowed just 8 earned runs in his last 48 innings. And in only one start this year did he not complete the 6th inning. That’s absurd.
Honorable mentions: Edison Volquez (11-3, 2.36 ERA, 1.25 WHIP), Tim Lincecum (10-2, 2.66 ERA, 1.27 WHIP), Brandon Webb (13-4, 3.27 ERA, 1.17 WHIP) & Cole Hamels (9-6, 3.18 ERA, 0.99 WHIP)

NL JBB Rookie of the year: Jair Jurrjens, Braves (9-4, 3.00 ERA)
Jair Jurrjens, acquired in the Edgar Renteria deal, has quietly been excellent for the Braves. Chalk it up as another trade that blew up in the Tigers face! I think Bruce, Soto or Fukudome will win the season ROY award, but Jurrjens has been quietly putting up a stellar rookie season, pitching in the tough NL East, and he’s had the biggest impact on his team among NL rookies.
Honorable mentions: Hiroki Kuroda, Geovany Soto, Kosuke Fukudome, Jay Bruce & Joey Votto

NL JBB Manager of the year: Lou Pinella, Cubs
I have to give love to Sweet Lou, who’s got a 100-year curse to break. Pinella has the Cubs playing great ball - and after his stint in Tampa, this proves that in reality, good players make good managers. You hear that Phil Jackson? Good players make good coaches! But Lou’s decision to insert Kerry Wood at closer has been key to the Cubs season. Plus, we get the occasional freak-out from time to time and there’s only one other manager that can blow up like him. Chicago is definitely the place to be if you like personality in your baseball managers.
Honorable mentions: Tony LaRussa, Ned Yost & Charlie Manuel

The JBB Award for the Surprise Story of the Year: The Rays.
Ironically, there is no ‘surprise’ what this is going to be. Who knew it was as easy as “Remove the Devil, start winning.” Tampa Bay is having best season by far and would need to shit the bed in epic proportions to not finish with the most wins in team history (a finish of 16-55 would give them their best record ever – a Double-A team could probably do that). And with the way the team is built, around great starting pitching and a solid bullpen, look for them to hang around. They don’t have the best record in baseball for no reason.
[But I must say sorry to all the TB “fans” because this fairy tale season does not have a happy ending. They will miss the playoffs because the Red Sox and the Yankees will pass them in the standings. The more things change, the more they stay the same, you know?]

The JBB Award for the Best Facial Hair: Jason Giambi.
Need I say more? As Walter would say, "8 year olds, Dude."

The JBB Award for the Most Ridiculously Drawn Out Managerial Firing:
The Mets. Seriously, how the hell did they even bring Willie Randolph back after that atrocious collapse last year?!? Grady Little had one brain fart and was shown the door. Randolph presided over a 5-12 finish to lose the division they had led most of the season and miss the playoffs by one game. And the whole “Is Randolph’s job on the line?” charade was an annoying waste of everyone’s time for about 3 weeks. Next time, have some balls and PULL THE F-ING TRIGGER OMAR!

The JBB Award for the Most Hilarious Rehiring: Cito Gaston, Blue Jays
There’s just something hilarious about a guy named Clarence who goes by Cito, is from San Antonio and who looks like he was the creative influence behind Cleveland from Family Guy becoming an icon in Toronto. 11 years ago he was fired from the Blue Jays, basically because the good players had all signed big contracts elsewhere and the management did not have any good minor leaguers, so the team sucked and he was blamed. He did not coach or manager in the interim. Oh yeah, he’s definitely the most qualified. Yet Toronto fans were thrilled by this development. Silly Canadians.

That's all for now. We'll have some 2nd half predictions next week. Enjoy the All-Star Game.