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Sep 28, 2006


WASHINGTON - Just a month ago, we predicted the division and wild card
winners and it appears we will get six or seven out eight correct. Let's see
if we can build upon that success in picking this year's award winners.


< NL MVP – Ryan Howard: Since the trade of Bobby Abreu, Howard is batting
.375 with 23 homers and 66 RBI in only 184 at-bats. No player has done more
to push his team towards the playoffs. Albert Pujols will finish in a close
second with our own Alfonso Soriano in third.

< AL MVP – Derek Jeter: Other candidates may have gaudier numbers than the
Yankee captain, but none can provide the total package Jeter does. He still
has over 200 hits, a career high in stolen bases and possibly over 100 RBI.
On the field he demonstrated the great range and strong arm that earned him
the last two Gold Gloves. In the clubhouse he provided leadership to keep a
clubhouse of egos and injuries together when the Yankees struggled. Sorry,
Big Papi.

< NL Cy Young - Cris Carpenter: With health on his side Carpenter has put up
consecutive phenomenal seasons. In addition to leading the league in ERA, he
is second in wins and fifth in strikeouts. Carpenter has anchored the St.
Louis rotation down the stretch, while not losing a start since Aug. 4th.
Brandon Webb also deserves some mention as does Carlos Zambrano.

< AL Cy Young - Johan Santana: First in wins? Check. First in ERA? Check.
First in strikeouts? Check. That would give Santana the pitching triple
crown. He's got the award locked up, just another great season for the game's
best pitcher.

< NL Rookie of the Year - Ryan Zimmerman: Driving in over 100 runs while
showing Gold Glove defense at third base, Zimmerman should beat out a strong
rookie field that includes Dan Uggla, Josh Johnson and Hanley Ramirez.

< AL Rookie of the Year - Justin Verlander: Since 1965, only four rookie
pitchers have won more than 17 games: Tom Browning (1985), Mark Fidrych
(1976), Carl Morton (1970), and Jerry Koosman (1968). Verlander (17-9, 3.63
ERA) will rest up for the postseason, according to manager Jim Leyland. The
rookie has demonstrated excellence and consistency over the course of the
season.

< NL Manager of the Year - Joe Girardi: On May 21st, the Marlins were 20
games under .500. Girardi helped this team this team with a payroll below $15
million enter a pennant race. The team's youth has finally caught up with
them, but Girardi deserves much credit for bringing them to two games above
.500.

< AL Manager of the Year - Jim Leyland: The right man for the right
situation. Leyland took a young, talented team in need of direction to a AL
Central crown. The Tigers look to make a 25-30 game improvement over last
season as they enter the playoffs.

< NL Executive of the Year - Omar Minaya and Larry Beinfest: For the first
time since 1988, the New York Mets captured the NL East title. Minaya went
out and acquired the top players available at their positions to compliment
his two young stars, David Wright and Jose Reyes. The Marlins' Beinfest
should share the award with Minaya. He was able to rebuild the team and
compete for a playoff spot, despite a payroll of $14 million.

< AL Executive of the Year- Billy Beane: He has done it again. Despite the
21st highest payroll in MLB, the A's are back in the playoffs thanks to
Beane. Adhering to the old adage, “Defense and pitching wins championships,”
the A's have the second best record since the All-Star Break.