Pickles & Dimes

I cannot believe the rabies-frothing hacks in the media. Dayn Perry of Fox Sports actually insisted that Morneau was the fourth best player on his own team. He then ridiculously asserted that Torii Hunter was better than Justin.

Obviously Perry only watched four seconds of a Twins game, because if he would’ve followed them at ALL, he would’ve realized that Torii tanked at the plate until only the very last month of the season. I love Torii and think he’s an immensely gifted fielder, but his plate discipline and propensity to swing at first pitches made him a liability at the plate, especially in clutch situations.

Regardless, what people like Dayn are doing is ludicrous. Justin deserves this award, and Jeter doesn’t. In fact, Jeter shouldn’t have even placed second.

You want numbers? Let’s compare the top two candidates, shall we?

Both were great hitters: Jeter was 2nd in the AL with a .343 BA; Morneau was 7th at .321.

Jeter was 3rd in the AL for hits; Morneau 7th.

Jeter had more at-bats, so his hit per AB ratio was one hit every 2.91 at-bats, while Morneau’s ratio was one hit every 3.11 at-bats.

Conversely, Jeter produced an RBI only every 6.42 at-bats, while Morneau delivered one every 4.55 at-bats. Which, considering the lineup that surrounded both men, is a much more difficult feat for a Twins player vs. a Yankees player.

Now, for the meat and potatoes – stats that helped their team score runs, and presumably, win more games:

Both were in the top 10 in the AL for runs created; Morneau = 6th; Jeter = 8th.

Morneau led the AL in sacrifice flies, while Jeter didn’t crack the top 10.

Morneau had 34 homeruns; Jeter 14.

Morneau had 130 RBIs; Jeter 97.

OK, now let’s talk defense, since the media is so quick to dismiss Morneau’s offensive abilities and likes to point out that his defense was sub-par:

Morneau committed 8 errors for a .994 fielding percentage. Jeter committed 15 errors, for a .979 fielding percentage.

Still not convinced? How about some intangibles?

The Twins were struggling early in the season and only began their turnaround once Justin started hitting. Santana was good all year, but the Twins still struggled at the beginning of the season to score runs. Plus, Santana only figured in decisions on the days he pitched. While Mauer was very, very good offensively, his lack of power hurt him and the Twins in regard to scoring valuable runs. If he was surrounded by guys who got on base more often (such as Jeter was), his singles and doubles might have led him to more scoring opportunities.

Regardless, I find it very difficult to rationalize that as the only legitimate power hitter on a small-ball Twins team (without adequate support before or behind him in the line-up; at least not until late August or early September), that Morneau was less valuable than Jeter was to the All-Star lineup of the Yankees.

Take away Morneau and the Twins don’t make the playoffs – period. Take away Jeter and I still feel they would’ve won their division. Put Jeter on a lesser team, such as the White Sox, with his same numbers and I doubt he would’ve been a true candidate. Look what happened to Dye. But put Morneau on that same Sox team, and his numbers still would have made him a front-runner.

Look, Jeter is baseball’s poster boy. The Golden Child. Mr. November. I get that. He’s an amazing athlete thriving in a pressure-cooker of a city that reduces other teammates (Giambi, A-Rod) to shells of their former selves. He’s steady and consistent and a great role model for everyone. He’s a great leader. I’d even go so far as to call him the league’s Most Valuable Persona. But he is NOT the MVP.

Justin is. And he deserves this award – and the ability to enjoy it.