LTSB's MLB Award Winners (According to Us)

Now that the World Series has been wrapped up by the San Francisco Giants (congrats Yay Area!) this would be a good time to look back on the regular season, which was filled with some great pitching performances, big time hitting and highlights galore. Let's acknowledge who I think should take home some MLB hardware to add to their trophy case. (post-season performance is not considered)

AL MVP - Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers / .359, 32 HRs, 100 RBIs

One of the true feel good stories in the majors, "The Natural" has recovered nicely from the addictions that almost crushed his career to become one of the best players in baseball. Hamilton led the junior circuit in batting average and also finished among the leaders in runs scored, hits, home runs and RBI's, all while missing 29 games. He also led the Rangers to their first AL West title and their first palyoff appearance in 11 years. Runner Up - Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay Rays

NL MVP - Joey Votto, Cincinnatti Reds / .324, 37 HRs, 113 RBIs

This was a close one, but I have to go with the division winner. Votto was a key reason why the Cincinnatti Reds were able to wrestle the NL Central crown from the St. Louis Cardinals and put up monster numbers in a season dominated by pitching while doing it. He delivered a bunch of big game winning hits and home runs and has already established himself as a feared hitter in the NL. All in only his third full season. Runner up - Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals

AL Cy Young - David Price, Tampa Bay Rays / 2.72 ERA, 19-6, 188 Ks

The number one overall pick back in 2007 has quickly become one of the top lefty starting pithers around. Price was consistent and posted a winning record in almost every month and was lights out down the stretch, going 4-0 in September with an ERA of 1.67. Not bad for a 25 year old who is still getting better. Runner up - C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees

NL Cy Young - Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies / 2.44 ERA, 20-10, 219 Ks

Another tough choice here as Halladay and Adam Wainwright had virtually identical numbers, but I went with Halladay here as he had the better record on the road (9-5) and pitched about 20 more innings. There isn't much else to say about Halladay as he is the definition of an "ace" and one of the top 3 pitchers in MLB. Runner up - Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cards

-ALR