The AL MVP is....
<sarcasm>
Many pundits and experts are starting to rev up the Derek Jeter for American League MVP hype machine. Well they are wrong about the player, however they are right about one thing; the AL MVP is a New York Yankee. On June 30th, the Yankees were 44-32. They were 2.5 games out of first place in the AL East; then the MVP arrived. While it may have seemed like a "small" move at the time, the Yankees acquired Eric Hinske from the Pittsburgh Pirates for two minor leaguers. Call it a small move, but since that day the Yankees have gone 44-18 and hold an 8.5 game lead over the Red Sox.
Living in Tampa Bay, I know what makes an MVP. Jason Bartlett was the Rays MVP last year despite a WAR of 1.8. You know why? The team won games when he was in the lineup. Now I know people are going to say well Hinske has only played in 26 games since his arrival. Throw those numbers out the window when we are talking about the Ske-man.
History lesson.
In 2007 the Boston Red Sox won the AL East, the AL pennant and the World Series. Who was on that team? Eric Hinske. Foolishly after 2007, the Sox let Hinske go to rival Tampa Bay. What happened in 2008? They lost to the Rays in the ALCS, and a team that had never won anything ended up AL East Champions, won the AL pennant and only lost the World Series thanks to B.J. Upton (when in doubt always blame B.J. Upton). Not learning from Theo Esptein's mistake, Andrew Friedman let Hinske walk after the season. Obviously, trying to exploit another market inefficiency, Friedman signed Pat Burrell from the defending world champion Phillies, however Pat Burrell is not Eric Hinske.
Hinske had an OPS of .741 with the Pirates. Hinske is a man. He needs a challenge. He is not an old starting pitcher who can't handle the AL East. Hinske NEEDS the AL East. Since joining the Yankees his OPS is .949 with seven home runs in 65 at-bats. If you give him 600 at-bats he would hit 65 home runs at this current pace; baller.
Not only is Hinske better in the East, but he makes his teammates better. Remember the so-called MVP candidate, Derek Jeter? He has definitely benefited from having Hinske around. Before his arrival, Jeter was hitting .307/.381/.451. Since then, Captain Clutch is hitting .365/.424/.506. Hinske'd
Men lie, women lie, numbers don't. If you want to win the AL East and more importantly go to the World Series, you need Eric Hinske. Not only is Hinske the MVP of this year, but probably should be given honorable MVP awards for the last two seasons. If I'm the Toronto Blue Jays (who could've had multiple championships had they kept Hinske) or the Baltimore Orioles, I'm throwing a truck load of money toward him this offseason. </sarcasm>
27 recs |
25 comments
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Comments
Excellent use of the graph here Tommy.
The graph emphasizes the numbers, and your numbers are good so the graph makes them double good!
by SFiercex4 on Sep 7, 2009 8:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thanks. Sometimes the words just don't tell the whole story.
However, I think the graph really drives the point home.
www.draysbay.com
by Tommy Rancel on Sep 7, 2009 8:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
I love graphs like the one used here.
I used to work with an old man that told me. Son, every workplace has a dumbass, if you don't have one where you work, then I'm afraid you're it.
by Warden11 on Sep 7, 2009 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh man, this is fantastic.
---
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by Jack Moore on Sep 7, 2009 8:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow.
Hinske is a man. He needs a challenge. He is not an old starting pitcher who can’t handle the AL East. Hinske NEEDS the AL East. Since joining the Yankees his OPS is .949 with seven home runs in 65 at-bats. If you give him 600 at-bats he would hit 65 home runs at this current pace; baller.
This PLUS a mention of WAR. Rec’d.
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by Sky Kalkman on Sep 7, 2009 9:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The beginning of the end for the Jays
Your source for replacement level commentary
by RATW on Sep 7, 2009 9:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Sergio Mitre for Cy Young. Mark it down.
http://twitter.com/FlyByKnite
by FlyByKnight on Sep 7, 2009 11:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is so bad… but in the awesome way.
Aaron King is still my homeboy... iffy mechanics and all
McFAQ for all you newcomers out there.
GET THAT VORP AND WHIP SH!T OUTTA HERE!!!
by baetown415 on Sep 8, 2009 4:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nicely done
"We're investigating the investigative procedure of the investigation of Tony Bernazard"---Omar Minaya (he really didn't say it but he would"
by firejerrynow on Sep 8, 2009 4:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
ESPN showed something earlier today about how Jason Marquis has made the playoffs every year.
Just keeps rotating between good teams.
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by Sky Kalkman on Sep 8, 2009 5:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I love it
The best thing was, Marquis almost never on the playoff roster because he sucks so much. In 06, when the Cards one the world series, he didn’t even make the playoff roster because his ERA was over 6 that year.
Smoltz.
by vivaelpujols on Sep 8, 2009 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
To be fair
He has helped the Rockies a lot this year.
by KindredSprites on Sep 9, 2009 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The data need to prove this isn't readily available, yet, but...
I’m pretty sure 16 rec’s is an SBN record. Way to play the Hinske card, Tommy.
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by Sky Kalkman on Sep 8, 2009 5:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
16 Recs is awesome
But I’m guessing you don’t spend much time at Blazersedge:
http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/9/1/1001028/anatomy-of-portland-trail-blazers
That’s 148 (hard-earned) recs on a FanPost.
by Tommy Bennett on Sep 8, 2009 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow, when does the book version of that come out
I’m not a Blazers fan, or NBA fan for that matter, but I read the whole darn thing. Awesome.
by James Kannengieser on Sep 9, 2009 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Uh, yeah
16 Rec’s is NOTHING (sorry Tommy). I have a FanPost at VEB with 17 now, and there is one with 100 as well. Lookout Landing has had a couple with over 80.
Smoltz.
by vivaelpujols on Sep 8, 2009 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And now it's up to
24, deservedly so, very funny.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Sep 10, 2009 1:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sort of like 'guilt by association'
except with merit, instead of guilt. I’m convinced. Great bit of research.
by Mister Snitch on Sep 9, 2009 9:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well done, Tommy.
"What we do in life, echoes in eternity!"
by Justin Bopp on Sep 9, 2009 4:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The Tito Landrum of this decade?
Landrum won two championships and played in 3 world series with two different teams. Clearly he and Hinske have the sort of clutch intangibles that just make teams win!
by Iridescence on Sep 13, 2009 11:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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