Miguel Cabrera Triple Crown? By the end of the night we'll know

canucksfreak19

canucksfreak19

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Miggy is leading in all three Triple Crown categories leading into the final day of the regular season. Looking to become the first player in 45 years to claim a Triple Crown title. We'll know before the Tigers even take the field if he'll have it because the only category that is not completely in the bag is home runs. And Josh Hamilton (43), who trails Cabrera by one in that category, is playing an afternoon game against Oakland.

Watching him play this season has been a treat. And here's hoping that Hamilton doesn't knock a couple out of the park today.
 
What is funny (and a complete joke) is that he is not a lock to win the MVP this year - if Trout gets it, the whole thing is a sham.

Good for Miggy though - pretty sweet to watch him come down the stretch raking for a contender.
 
timber09 said:
What is funny (and a complete joke) is that he is not a lock to win the MVP this year - if Trout gets it, the whole thing is a sham.

Good for Miggy though - pretty sweet to watch him come down the stretch raking for a contender.
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While I agree that Miggy should win, I don't think it's a sham if Trout wins. Miggy was the better player during the full season, but given the Angels struggles BEFORE (6-14 in a granted small sample size) Trout started playing for them (April 28), you could make a case he was the most "valuable" player to his team. (83-58 since April 28, or 95 win pace which would be 1st in the AL West and possibly in the AL).

Ted Williams lost the MVP race BOTH years he won the Triple Crown as did Lou Gehrig, and Chuck Klein.
 
The criteria is vague - it just says it is supposed to go to the most outstanding player of the league. It doesn't say anything about being valuable to his team, though there are probably writers that interpret it that way and vote that way.

Without Cabrera, Detroit doesn't make the post season. Add to that he will be top two (or #1) in the old trifecta of hitting stats, and you've got a winner. Trout will likely get a few first place votes, but I think Cabrera takes it in a landslide.

And I hope he wins the Triple Crown - I never thought in my lifetime I'd see a triple crown winner, what with the home run era and guys that bat for average with no pop. And he's gone out there game after game and grabbed hold of it... awesome to watch, and I hope he does it!

Edit: Sorry, I see that there is a mention of value to his team in the criteria - my bad:

“The rules of the voting remain the same as they were written on the first ballot in 1931: (1) actual value of a player to his team, that is, strength of offense and defense; (2) number of games played; (3) general character, disposition, loyalty and effort; (4) former winners are eligible; and (5) members of the committee may vote for more than one member of a team.”

I guess #3 is why the other Cabrera was unceremoniously dumped...

Cory
 
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(1) actual value of a player to his team, that is, strength of offense and defense;

By this criteria I think it's fairly safe to say that Trout is the choice for MVP. While Cabrera's offense is outstanding, I don't think they'll be fitting him with a Gold Glove any time soon.
 
Triple Crown is not indicative of MVP. RBI's is eh. If you have a better lineup, you will have more RBI's. Plus baseball has defensive aspects to it too. Not just offense. I'm not saying Cabrera doesn't deserve it, but if he does, it's not JUST because he got the Triple Crown.
 
Let me jump back in here by saying that I am not a Tigers fan and, really, not much a fan of Cabrera either.

That being said - if one of the guys in question has a late season surge for a team in contention and in the process that player wins the triple crown, one of the most rare feats in baseball lore, while leading his team to the division title and that player in turn does not win the MVP, then the whole thing is a sham.

I stand behind my prior statement. I think Trout is awesome and I love watching him play - reminds me of Darin Erstad with more pop, but Miggy is the MVP.
 
timber09 said:
Let me jump back in here by saying that I am not a Tigers fan and, really, not much a fan of Cabrera either.

That being said - if one of the guys in question has a late season surge for a team in contention and in the process that player wins the triple crown, one of the most rare feats in baseball lore, while leading his team to the division title and that player in turn does not win the MVP, then the whole thing is a sham.

I stand behind my prior statement. I think Trout is awesome and I love watching him play - reminds me of Darin Erstad with more pop, but Miggy is the MVP.
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Joe,

I'm agree with you that I think Miggy should win, I guess my case is I don't think it's as slam dunk as you do and don't think it's a mockery if Trout does win. As Paul mentioned the RBI part of the Triple Crown is based on oppurtunity and luck as much as anything else. Miggy bats 3rd, Trout leads off. BA is partially luck based dependent on BABIP but that's probably a little too Sabrmetric for any conversation.

And there was a time that winning the division should weigh the voting, but I think with 3 divisions that doesn't count for as much as it did in the past. The Tigers are in the playoffs as a top 3 seed and the Angels with a better record for the year are on the outside (same with the Rays). The Tigers finished 7th in the AL but won the division featuring the worst 2 teams and 3 of the worst 4.

And this of course, completely ignores defense, but I haven't watched enough Tigers or Angels games to really comment on that aspect.

[however, I just saw Trout get nailed at home when he shouldn't tried to advance on a flyball, so that's a knock against him]
 
Defense is hard to compare - Trout is an excellent fielding centre fielder, Cabrera an average fielding third baseman (just basing this on errors and chances according to MLB.com, though I know I've seen Trout on many highlight packages... Miggy not so much for his glove). Only 13 errors though coming out of 383 chances, third best fielding percentage amongst everyday third basemen in the AL - I don't think you could call him a poor defensive third baseman.

I still have my vote with Cabrera... Trout though will definitely get his due if he continues playing this way next season and puts a full season under his belt - the numbers will too tough to discuss away.

Cory
 
I think the voters should vote after the last game of the year, that would be the only date to file your votes, I think some have them in , in early Sept.

Give Trout the Rookie of the Year , awesome start to what looks to be a great career. you can't say the kid isn't exciting.some don't realize but he plays LF when bourjas plays. This kid will be in the running for MVP for many seasons but he's battling history.

Both players have good teammates around him, even though the Angels didn't make the playoffs they have a better lineup. Cabrera's numbers are historic, hit something over .400 after the 7th with runners in scoring position.

The writers did the right thing last year by giving the award to Verlander , since they normally eliminate pitchers due to the cy young. In a game where history matters it would be tough to not hand Cabrera the MVP !!!
 

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