BEST MVP BALLOT EVER!
Tom Hardicourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, I salute you.
Here’s his ballot:
1. Ryan Howard, Phil
2. CC Sabathia, Mil
3. Manny Ramirez, LA
4. Carlos Delgado, NY
5. Aramis Ramirez, Chi
6. Prince Fielder, Mil
7. Albert Pujols, Stl
8. Ryan Ludwick, Stl
9. Ryan Braun, Mil
10. David Wright, NY
Oh there’s so much more. You need to read the whole article. Basically Hardicourt’s argument is this:
You can go 0 for 500 with 2,000 errors from April to August. As long as you succeed in September and your team makes the playoffs, that’s all that matters.
The unfortunate retirement of Fire Joe Morgan’s creative geniuses leaves a void to mock something so glorious. Fortunately, the folks at Baseball Think Factory still do a fine job. I particularly enjoyed the submission of Transaction Oracle writer Dan Szymborski:
I could fill out an MVP ballot in a dream and have it make more sense. Sure, the ballot would contain maybe my old neighbor, Chester A. Arthur, a milk truck, and Jeff Reboulet, but it’d still be better than an MVP ballot that lists Carlos Delgado above Albert Pujols.
Oh, Jeff Reboulet. Your Hall of Fame moustache and utter randomness lives on in all our hearts. It’s for that reason that you remain the only baseball player to whom I only refer by an anagram: J. Fefe Trouble.
But Delgado was a great leader! (after Randolph was fired) He hit clutch home runs! (after sucking for 1/3 of a season) He taught the young one how to win! (till they choked for the second season in a row..)
seriously..FJM especially but yours and others writing has just KILLED most sporstwriting for me forever..but what do read at the kitchen table now while eating my Wheaties??