Eric Thomas: It's Okay If Verlander "Just" Wins The Cy Young
I want to start by saying that I think Justin Verlander is deserving of the MVP. He has all the stats, all of the intangibles, and the argument to elect him MVP is rock solid.
Now that I have said that, it is highly unlikely he will be selected as the MVP. We should be happy he is in the discussion. The prize will likely go to Bautista, Granderson or one of the Red Sox.
The distressing sentiment that I have heard from Tigers fans recently is that it would be a disappointment if JV "only wins the Cy Young". Aren't we a little early to feel this entitled, Tigers fans? There was no one suggesting Verlander as a Cy Young candidate at the beginning of the year. Sure we had hopes, but I don't think anyone thought JV would blow past Sabathia the way he has. He has been dominant to the point where we all feel, yes, the Cy Young prize is inevitable. But the notion that anything less than MVP is a failure does a huge disservice to what has been one of the greatest seasons in Tigers history.
The best show in town has been on the mound this summer. Starting when he no-hit the Blue Jays, JV has produced a series of gems. His starts are appointment viewings. Tickets to Comerica turn scarce whenever he starts. The stat line says he has lost 5 games this year, and I honestly can only remember one of those. It has been a dominating performance, and yes, when JV is on the mound the team responds around him in dramatic fashion. You can make a lot of comparisons between this team and the one that collapsed in 2009, but that team did not have a dominating ace like this.
A middle team in a bad division looks unbeatable when JV is on the mound and that alone is the most convincing argument in favor of naming him the MVP. But as soon as he is mentioned in the MVP horserace, people ask if a pitcher can win the MVP in today's MLB. That moment of pause alone in the process of the voters is enough to deny the MVP to Verlander. He has two things going against him: 1. He is a pitcher 2. He doesn't pitch for New York or Boston.
He will win the Cy Young, and we should all raise a glass when he does. This thirst for Verlander to win the MVP is absolutely justified, but lets temper our reaction if he is not handed the MVP prize. Lets not miss the appreciation of this moment because we are greedy for more.
He has pitched the lights out this year, but that doesn't mean he is going to be this way next year. You never even know if he is going to stay here, as I am sure the Yanx and the Sox are salivating for him now.
